cover:review2012 19/04/2013 11:25 Page 1 The Royal Society of T h e R

o Review 2012 y a l S o c i e t y o f E d i n b u r g h R e v i e w 2 0 1 2

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ISSN 1476-4334 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH

REVIEW OF THE SESSION 2010-2011 (OCTOBER 2010-OCTOBER 2011)

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Printed in Great Britain by Henry Ling Limited, Dorchester, DT1 1HD CONTENTS

ACTIVITIES - SESSION 2010-11 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORDINARY MEETINGS ...... 3 PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATUTORY GENERAL MEETING ...... 5 PRIZE LECTURES ...... 33 LECTURES ...... 37 CONFERENCES ...... 143 PUBLICATIONS...... 239 POLICY ADVICE ...... 241 SCOTTISH BIOINFORMATICS FORUM ...... 245 EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ...... 247 RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE AWARDS ...... 249 MEDALS, PRIZES AND PRIZE LECTURESHIPS ...... 255 GRANTS COMMITTEE ...... 257 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ...... 259 FELLOWS’ SOCIAL EVENTS ...... 265 GRANTS, SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS ...... 267 FRIENDS OF THE SOCIETY ...... 269 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS ...... 271 CHANGES IN FELLOWSHIP DURING THE SESSION ...... 275 STAFF CHANGES DURING THE SESSION ...... 277 OBITUARY NOTICES ...... 279 TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS TO 31 MARCH 2011 ...... 377

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORDINARY MEETINGS The meeting due to be held on 6 Monday 6 June 2011 December 2010 was cancelled Chairman due to bad weather. Vice -President: Professor Jean Wednesday 9 March 2011 Beggs CBE FRS FRSE President: Lord Wilson of Tillyorn Lecture KT GCMG PRSE The Vice-President introduced Professor Tim Byers, Professor of Ballot Epidemiology and Associate The President announced that Dean at the Colorado school of Professors Jeanne Bell and Alice public health in Denver, Colora- Brown acted as Scrutineers for the do, and asked him to deliver his postal ballot for the election of lecture entitled: Preventing the President and for the election Cancers of the Breast and Colon of new RSE Fellows for 2011. by How We Choose to Live Each They reported that 42% of the Day. Fellowship returned papers for the ballot for the election of the President. Sir John Arbuthnott 5 September 2011 was elected by “an overwhelming majority”. 43% of the Fellowship Chairman returned papers for the election of Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG new Fellows and the names on PRSE the list were elected by an over- Lecture whelming majority. The Professor Wade Allison, Emeritus announcement of the incoming Fellow, Keble College, Oxford President and the list of new RSE Radiation and Reason: Straight Fellows have been released to the and Open Thinking about media today. Choosing Nuclear Lecture The President introduced Mr Matt McGrath, and asked him to deliver his Gannochy Trust Innovation Award Prize Lecture entitled Benbecula to Anaesthesia - and Beyond

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATUTORY GENERAL MEETING Minutes of the Statutory General Meeting held on 3 October 2011, ending the 228th Session

The Annual Statutory Meeting took place in the Society’s Wolfson Theatre on Monday 3 October 2011 at 5 pm. Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG, President, took the Chair.

A. Formal Business 1. MINUTES The Minutes of the Annual Statutory Meeting held on Monday 4 October 2010 were taken as read, approved by those Fellows present and signed by the President as a correct record. 2. MATTERS ARISING The President presented a report (Appendix I) on the creation of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland and thanked Professors Peter Holmes, Geoffrey Boulton and Alice Brown, the Society’s staff, and many other Fellows who had assessed the applications received, for the significant contributions all had made and the hard work they had put into success- fully progressing the initiative. An update was requested on the outcome of the review of events primarily for Fellows. Professor Boulton reported that the Executive Board had considered the issue and had agreed that while the Society’s activities debate many issues, very frequently it is in the aftermath of a lecture with a short time for questions and that something more structured which facilitates deliberative discussion amongst Fellows on a fairly regular basis was required. The aim was to establish this in the year ahead, but this needed to be considered in the context of the Society having to make important operational decisions in the coming year given the financial climate in which it is currently operating; and in establishing a new series of events for Fellows, one of the questions might well be what the Society would stop doing in order to make space for such a series.

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3. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES FOR SESSION 2010/11 The meeting noted the Report on Activities for Session 2010/11 distrib- uted to Fellows in advance (Appendix II). The President suggested that any discussion of the report should take place after the Office Bearers’ Reports had been delivered.

4. OFFICE BEARERS’ REPORTS a) General Secretary’s Report Professor Geoffrey Boulton gave the following report: We report annually in three ways. First through our annual Trustees’ Report and Accounts, which are approved by Council and are available to any Fellow through our website, or in printed format on request. Secondly, through an illustrated Annual Review, a copy of which all Fellows should have received. Both of these reports cover the financial year from April to March. Thirdly, we report by Session, and my report this evening covers some of the major issues that have occurred during this period, which is the year from the last Annual Statutory Meeting to now. The first issue, already mentioned by the President, is the planning and creation of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland. We are absolutely delighted by the calibre of the individuals who applied for membership and those whom have been elected. The Academy will be formally launched on 29 November 2011 and thereafter will evolve and its members will develop its programme of activities under the auspices of an Interim Steering Group, which will be chaired by the General Secretary. Secondly, there has been anticipation of difficult financial times ahead. We do a tremendous variety of things and some of the key questions we are probably going to have to decide upon in the coming year is which of those things should we to do less of, which should we stop doing, and are there new things we ought to be doing to replace what we already do? We have developed a process by which this might be done, through our Executive Board, which has a detailed understanding and knowledge of the individual parts of the Society’s activities. Of course, should there be major shifts in the balance of things we do, then it is important that we engage with the Fellowship regarding this.

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The third major issue is securing the Society’s financial future. This is an easy thing to say, but a much more difficult thing to do, largely because of the uncertainties with the grant we receive from the and the very severe pressures its budget is under, but we have engaged with and will continue to engage with Scottish Government Ministers and officials with a view to securing the best possible outcome for the Society. Looking at our activities in broad terms gives a sense of the diversity of things that the Society does and the problems that can arise if we have to adapt in stringent financial circumstances. An outcome of Scottish Government grant reductions in the last year was a morato- rium, for one year at least, of offering new Research Fellowships. Funding permitting, our clear aim is, however, to reinstate this highly successful programme during the coming year. Another area which has been under pressure is our Arts and Humanities Research Awards programme, which has also been highly successful and is an area which, in principle, we would like to protect. Communicating knowledge has continued to be a vitally important activity but, like other areas, has not been free from the financial pressures. Despite this, we managed to deliver a wide ranging programme of activities consistent with previous years. In my view, an activity of particular importance is the advice the Society gives to others, usually Government. This very much involves the Fellowship, and in the last year some 170 Fellows were directly involved in groups that met either to respond to consultation papers or to produce papers of our own. Beyond that, we also circulated to Fellows who we believe have an interest in particular areas to elicit their responses. We have also outreached across Scotland and have engaged with local communities. For example, in the year past we ran an extensive programme of activities for school-aged children and adults in the & region. This followed up on a similar project in Arbroath two years before. Both of those projects have been extremely successful partnership initiatives, not solely funded by us. They leave legacies (non-financial) with the local communities and doing similar such projects in the future continues to be our aim. Most activities in our international programme are fairly well estab- lished. There has, however, been one new innovation this year, which is the establishment of a series of Franco–Scottish science

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seminars. This flowed from discussions with the French Embassy in London about the possibility of jointly holding seminars on particu- lar aspects of science. The first was held during this year and two more are planned for the coming year. It’s an example of the type of activity which is relatively inexpensive for the Society when it teams up with other bodies that have resources to expend. Two of our Committees have a specific remit to consider particular areas of public policy. These are the Education Committee and the Business Innovation Forum. The Education Committee has been motoring very strongly, and has become profoundly engaged in, probably the largest development in Scottish education for three or four decades in the Curriculum for Excellence. It has made some quite sharp interventions and has also been very positive in some of the things it has done in supporting Scottish government activity. It is regarded by external organisations out–with government as a reliable, sympathetic and intelligent ear. Through it, the Society provided an exemplar of the way in which the Curriculum for Excellence may operate in chemistry. This has been very much appreciated by teachers of chemistry. Similarly, work has just begun on a Computing Science exemplar and this is being funded externally by around sixteen different companies and bodies. The most significant activity of the Business Innovation Forum in the last year has been its influential report on Digital Scotland, the follow -up dissemination of which has given the Scottish Government and others a much clearer view of what the underlying principles of broadband development in Scotland ought to be. All of these activities, and the benefits that are realised from them, would not have been possible without the very willing involvement of a very large number of Fellows and of course the support of the Society’s very hard working staff, and on behalf of the Society I would like to thank all of them for their contributions. Finally, at the conclusion of today’s meeting a number of our elected officers will demit office, namely the President, Lord Wilson, Vice- President Professor Hector Macqueen, Fellowship Secretary Professor Peter Holmes, Research Awards Convenor Professor Alan Miller, Young Peoples Convenor Professor Mary Bownes, and Council member Professor Ian Halliday. On behalf of the Society I would also like to thank all of them for their valuable contributions to the Society’s work, whilst at the same time fulfilling the many other demands on their time.

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b) Treasurer’s Report Mr Ewan Brown gave the following report: First a reminder that what is presented to you in the Annual Review are the consolidated figures for the RSE, the RSE Scotland Founda- tion and the BP Research Fellowship Trust – for the first time all with the same year end and presented over the same period. The largest elements of income and expenditure – the money received for the grant of Research and Enterprise fellowships and the amounts paid out in support of these – increased by 16%, a step up reflecting the implementation of earlier recommendations by Sir John Enderby. Elsewhere costs were kept under tight control, with governance and management costs representing less than 3% of income. The RSE continues to deliver much from a small and efficient centre. The consolidated operating surplus for the year was £327,000, which compares with a deficit of £62,000 for the previous year. However, as always with the vagaries of charities accounting, that is not the whole story, for the £327,000 was arrived at after a pensions credit of £240,000 and a legacy payment of £62,500. So we more or less broke even, which was a satisfactory outcome. The RSE’s General Fund increased by £410,000, largely attributable to an ephemeral pension credit and reduction in the pension liability. Realised and unrealised investment gains of £524,000 accounted for most of the increase in the designated and restricted funds, but recent setbacks in the stock markets will have eroded much of this. As I said last year, and I will say every year while I am still involved, what is real, as distinct from accounting convention, is cash flow and being able to meet liabilities as they fall due. Although net current assets were down by £450,000 – attributable principally to putting some funds out for longer investment, they were in excess of £1.5 million, which is still a healthy position. However, you will see from the Annual Review that the dark clouds are gathering. Our grant from the Scottish Government for the current year has been cut by 16% (equivalent to £486,000) and our only means of addressing this, short of withdrawing from one or more of our core activities, was, with regret, to impose the moratori- um on the award of Research Fellowships.

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We hope to know quite soon what our grant position will be for 2012/13. While Council has put forward strong arguments for resuming the Fellowship awards and supporting the wide range of public benefits provided by the RSE’s various programmes, Govern- ment seems to find it easier to salami slice everyone’s budget rather than prioritise for the common good. Our annual grant comes from the budget of the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser and we are increasingly looking elsewhere in government for support for arts and humanities, social sciences and business activities. The Scottish Government gets a lot from a very small annual investment in our programmes – less than the in-kind contribution of our Fellows and Council will continue to ensure that Ministers understand this and are well informed about what the RSE delivers for the benefit of Scotland. We are also actively pursuing other sources of income and are pleased that recent legacies now total £3.5 million, but we need more and hope that the legacy initiative which was launched last year will encourage many Fellows to give serious consideration to leaving legacies to the RSE. c) Fellowship Secretary’s Report Professor Peter Holmes gave the following report: I appreciate this opportunity to give a brief overview of the Fellow- ship on an annual basis. I will divide my presentation into four short sections. First to talk about the distribution of the current Fellowship, then a little about the new Fellows who were elected this year, a little bit on gender balance and age distribution, because I know those are two issues that frequently come up, and then finally I will say a few words about where we are in the new election cycle for 2011/2012. Looking at the current Fellowship, we have 1540 Fellows at the moment. The Fellowship is divided on the basis of disciplines into four main sectors. These main sectors have been in place for many years and within them we have 14 sectional groups which cover the diverse range of subjects. Within the current Fellowship, I think it’s interesting and perhaps not altogether surprising that 75% of our Fellows (formerly called ‘Ordinary Fellows’) are scientists and engi- neers and this has been the situation for sometime - so we have large groups in life sciences, physical sciences and engineering. balance of the Fellowship is not the process once the candidate’s name is put forward, but it is having reasonable numbers of female

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candidates being put forward. We must do everything we can to encourage the nomination of female candidates. Last year, we had only 20 female candidates to consider out of 149 in total. In other words, only 13% of the candidates were female. Which I think is not really very satisfactory. Looking at the age distribution of the Fellowship, we have Fellows aged from 37 to 98 with an average age of around 67. There are very few Fellows in the 30-39 age group and this has been comment- ed on in the past. The age of our new Fellows hovers around the low 50’s. Finally, for the new Fellows who were elected this year, a very special event as many of you will know in May is when the new Fellows come here to sign the roll. It is always an enjoyable day and I hope that will continue into the future. Turning to the new 2011/2012 election cycle, we have 171 candi- dates for consideration. 90 of these are new candidates, in comparison with only 53 new candidates last year, so that is a good development. However, it means that there is a large number for the Sectional Committees to consider. There are 163 candidates for what used to be called Ordinary Fellowship, and amongst this group we can see again a repeat of the distribution, with large numbers coming into Sectors A and B – indeed around 73% of candidates for consideration are from the science areas. I am very pleased to say we have 34 women for consideration this year as opposed to 20 last year. 23 of these are new candidates – we had only nine new female candidates last year. So things are moving in the right direction and these numbers mean that around 20% of the candidates for consid- eration are female, which some might argue is closer to representing the communitys which we are drawing from. However, there is still room for improvement and, as you heard earlier today, 40% of the members of the Young Academy are female. The allocation of places for Fellowship is always an important issue for Council, and there are various factors taken into account when we draw up these numbers. Every year since the review in 2007, the recommendation has been that we should hold it at 40 new Fellows a year, and this is how the places are distributed for this year’s election cycle (Sector A 14+1, Sector B 11 + 1, Sector C 5 + 1, Sector D 2 + 1). Last year, for the first time, we added this + 1 flexible arrangement whereby we can move places between the different groups depending on the excellence of the candidates. That flexibili-

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ty for the Fellowship Committee has been extremely helpful. What also has been extremely helpful is the development of what we call the floating places. These are largely for candidates sitting between the main discipline groups, who perhaps in the past had a harder route in terms of election to Fellowship, and again this has been extremely useful. Finally then, in terms of this year, it’s a five-stage process which is taking place from now until Christmas. We are just finishing off some of the Sectional Committee meetings. The top candidates from each of the Sectional Committees will then move to the next stage to be considered and prioritised by the Sector Groups. The prioritised candidates from the Sector Group meetings then go for consideration by the Fellowship Committee and finally by Council. Then in December there is a ballot to the whole Fellowship. It is an important distillation process of five stages and I am pleased that we are getting such excellent candidates and such excellent Fellows elected. Before closing, I should say that this is my final report from my three- year term of office which I have enjoyed and appreciated. I would just like to say a few words of special thanks, particularly to the Fellows who sit on the Sectional Committees. Nearly 200 Fellows are actively involved in the process on these Sectional Committees and we are very grateful to them. I would also like to thank the President, the Vice-Presidents, Council and many others who have been extremely supportive in all matters pertaining to the Fellowship, and a very special thanks to Dr Lesley Campbell who is the Fellowship Manager and who manages everything to do with the Fellowship superbly. Finally, can I say I am delighted to be handing over to Professor Alan Miller and I wish him every success. d) Questions The President invited question on the Office Bearers reports. The following were raised: i) Is there any process for disbarring a Fellow who perhaps has transgressed or lost interest in the affairs of the society? The President responded that he had never been involved in such a case, but the Society’s Laws make provision for the expulsion of a Fellow should his / her conduct justify it.

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ii) Wouldn’t it be nice if the average age of the Fellowship was younger as we don’t want to be top heavy in terms of age and should be bringing in younger people? iii) I would like to ask a couple of questions about the working arrangements of the Young Academy, because in order to get off on the right foot it seems to me we have to have a good understanding of what the potential is and the direction in which it is heading. Firstly engagement with the wider Fellow- ship - is it the intention to have some kind of shared planning or something which brings the Fellows and members of the Young Academy together on a regular basis or is this going to be subdued into the existing administration and therefore to some extent obscured from the Fellowship? Geoffrey Boulton responded: one of the things we are very sensitive to is the calibre of people who have been made members of the Young Academy. It is very high, they really are a stellar group and the last thing they want is to be told what to do. We have devel- oped a number of options for governance, have got a programme for the first few months and after the launch will talk with the Academy members about how they think they should be developed. One of the most difficult things is to evaluate what should be the relationship between the Society, its Fellowship and the Academy members. Quite a number of Fellows have said how keen they would be to engage with them and that’s very good, but I don’t think we should determine how that should happen. I think we should let the request come from the Young Academy. The key thing is we want the Academy to be controllable in that it doesn’t make the Society bankrupt, but we want to give it sufficient freedom so that it can be creative without having somehow to adapt to our preconceived ideas about what it ought to do. We are very well aware of the issues and are moving in a deliberate way to finding a working path that’s consistent with the aspirations of the Academy members, while at the same time ensuring appropriate consistency with the structures and aspirations of the Society and the aspirations of the Fellows. Secondly, in the presentation of the accounts in future years, will there be a separate identification of a budgetary line for the Young Academy, how will the baseline be established and what are the plans for making that grow? Ewan Brown responded: we have been able to identify money and gifts to get this off

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the ground, which didn’t come from our core funding. We don’t know yet how much interest we have captured from the Scottish Government and to some extent it’s not for us to do that; it’s now for it to do that and we hope that it might be keen enough on this to commit some money to it. Equally, the Young Academy is the kind of body that once it starts moving itself and with the spread it has across all the disciplines and the impact it is capable of making it may be able to raise sponsorship money in a way that the Society may find difficult. We have in place a budget for year 1 which deals with front end investment, but would hope that future year budgets would be less. Moreover, the Academy will have to operate at within what the Society is able to vote for it and progressively I would hope to see it moving away from this funding arrangement with the emphasis on it finding its own money over time. iv) My impression is that Society staff are already pretty heavily loaded; will there be extra, separate appointments for adminis- tering the Young Academy? Ewan Brown responded: there is currently an additional staff appointment (a secondee from the Scottish Government) for a year. vi) Is there is an opportunity to use the Young Academy as a leverage to help the Society achieve a broader communication within Scotland and overseas? Five to ten years ago the then Institution of Electrical Engineers were concerned about the number of people attending its meetings so formed web based communities and you didn’t need to be a member of the Institution to sign up to look at what’s was going on. From that the Institution got hits of many thousands a month from right across the international community. This would be a way of the Society communicating more effectively; however what you need is something dynamic and exciting to put on to this web- based community and this is a real opportunity perhaps for mature Fellows to interact with the Academy to see how we could drive the Society through a wider population and also overseas. Geoffrey Boulton responded: the Academy is such an attractive and potentially powerful body that it will be able to leverage support externally in a way that the Society itself finds a little more difficult. Secondly, there are already a number of Young Academies across Europe and we have had some fraternal greetings from all of them and indeed from the recently-formed South African Young Academy, so there is

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certainly an international opportunity, but how it could be exploited is another matter. vii) Regarding the RSE Fellowship balance between the science and the businesses and the arts and humanities, are the quoted figures indicative of matters being about right, or might they be reviewed at a later date? Peter Holmes responded: this is a very important matter, and how we allocate places really depends on a whole variety of issues, one of which is the size of the commu- nities from which nominated candidates are drawn. We do a lot of analysis of and review the respective balances and we do know that there are under-represented areas of the Fellowship, and continually endeavour to address these, but the excellence of the candidates must of course always be paramount.

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5. ELECTION OF COUNCIL AND OTHER OFFICE-BEARERS FOR THE 229TH SESSION Lord Wilson reported that all Fellows entitled to vote had been sent a ballot paper. The returned papers had been examined by the scrutineers, Professors William Gillies and Donald Meek. All those proposed were elected either unanimously or by an overwhelming majority. The President congratulated the newly-elected Council members and thanked all those who were standing down. Membership of Council and the Executive Board for the next Session would be:

Council Executive Board President General Secretary Sir John Arbuthnott Professor Alice Brown CBE Vice-Presidents Treasurer Professor Jean Beggs CBE Mr Ewan Brown CBE Professor Graeme Caie Curator Mr John McClelland CBE Professor Duncan Macmillan Professor Wilson Sibbett CBE International Convener General Secretary Professor Sir David Edward Professor Alice Brown CBE KCMG, QC, PC Treasurer Programme Convener Mr Ewan Brown CBE Professor John Richardson Fellowship Secretary Research Awards Convener Professor Alan Miller Professor Steve Beaumont Ordinary Members Young People’s Convener Professor Cairns Craig OBE Dr Chris Van Der Kuyl Professor Anna Dominiczak Education Convener OBE Lord Sutherland of Houndwood Professor Sir David Edward KCMG, QC, PC Professor Susan Manning Professor Sheila Rowan

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6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no other formal business. The President thanked all those who had attended the meeting and had contributed to the reports and discussions. B. PUBLIC LECTURE BY PRESIDENT “Reflections on Hong Kong and China”

C. HANDOVER OF PRESIDENCY Lord Wilson said he was very happy to be handing over to Sir John Arbuth- nott, who had previously occupied a number of important posts at University, Trinity College Dublin and Nottingham University, and who had also been Principal of Strathclyde University. In addition to this, Sir John had received his knighthood in 1998 for his services to education and had contributed hugely to the public sector in Scotland through his Chairmanship of the Greater Glasgow Health Board, Chairmanship of the Arbuthnott Commission on Boundary Differences and Different Voting Systems and by producing the Arbuthnott formula for allocating NHS resources in Scotland. Lord Wilson handed over the Insignia of Office to Sir John. Sir John said he was enormously honoured to have been elected President of the Society and looked forward to this with great enthusiasm. On behalf of the Society, Sir John thanked Lord Wilson for his work as President and for the immense experience he had brought to the position, while also playing a very significant role in many other aspects of public life north and south of the border, not least a very busy schedule coming back and forth to Edinburgh from the House of Lords. He added that the Society had been privileged to have someone of Lord Wilson’s experience who had taken forward its agenda in a very positive way. Sir John concluded by saying that one of the strands which comes through from knowing Lord Wilson is that he is an incredibly warm person, who loves talking to people, and who is very welcoming when people come as guests from any part of the world. The Society had benefited from Lord Wilson’s approach to building and maintaining good relationships with others and Sir John’s aim was to continue in the same vein whilst serving as President.

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Annual Statutory Meeting 2011 - Appendix I RSE YOUNG ACADEMY OF SCOTLAND REPORT BY THE RSE PRESIDENT On 5 September 2011, the Society some of the most able and announced the first members of innovative young people in the new “RSE Young Academy of Scotland. Every year a new round Scotland”. This development is of applications will be encour- the first of its kind in the UK. It aged, bringing in a new cohort of will be part of a growing move- members. The aim is to stimulate ment of Young Academies, creative ideas and collaborative particularly in Europe. working that will help address A rigorous selection procedure, some of the key challenges facing which considered 336 applica- Scotland and will contribute to tions from outstanding young solving some of the global academics, entrepreneurs, artists challenges of the 21st Century. and professionals, resulted in 68 The Young Academy will provide a being chosen to be the first platform for this talented group members. The final list was to develop for themselves a approved by Council at its distinctive, coherent and influen- meeting on 5 September. In the tial “voice” to address many of first cohort of members, over 40 the challenging issues facing % are female; 80% are from the society. It will provide a forum for academic sector across a wide its members to engage with those range of institutions and around beyond their own discipline or 20% are from the professions and profession. It is an important business. The average age of the initiative which recognises that first group is 36. They cover a very the future vitality of Scotland will wide range of expertise from depend on how we support and biologists, geoscientists and engage with the most talented engineers to lawyers, social and creative members of the rising scientists, entrepreneurs and from generation. All of the people who the arts and government service have been appointed have sectors. There are members from demonstrated great ability and all parts of Scotland, as well as potential. There are likely to be those originally from elsewhere in many in the group who will go on the UK or other parts of the world. the make a significant contribu- Membership is initially for a tion, both within Scotland and period of three years. internationally in the years ahead. The Society has established the The Young Academy will be Young Academy to bring together launched at a ceremony in

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Edinburgh on 29 November 2011. that members of the Young Its business and activities will Academy should, to the greatest initially be taken forward by an possible extent, run their own interim Steering Group, which will affairs themselves. exist until 31 March 2012. This This initiative was made possible Group will be chaired by the by a legacy donation to the General Secretary. The Group will Society by the late Dr David operate through a transition Shepherd FRSE, for which the period to allow the Academy to Society is extremely grateful. become formally constituted in its own right. The objective then is

Annual Statutory Meeting 2011 - Appendix II Report on Activities for the Annual Session 2010/11 (beginning 4 October 2010)

A wide-ranging programme of outstanding potential conducive activities was once again delivered to becoming research leaders, to by the Fellowship, supported by establish their career in Scotland staff of the Society and others. and make long-term contributions These activities contributed to the to the Science, Technology, public benefit outcomes set in the Engineering and Mathematics Society’s Strategic Framework for base and its application in 2007-2012. Scotland. It provides scope to This report records the various place special emphasis on areas of activities by public benefit out- research key to the well-being of come and also by how these Scotland; for example energy, activities continued to sustain and environment and biosciences, and utilise our multi-disciplinary complements similar programmes Fellowship and recognise out- available on a UK-wide basis from standing achievement and the Royal Society, the Royal excellence. Academy of Engineering, Research Councils and major Research 1) Enhancing the capacity of Charities. It is only through world-class science and culture valuable partnerships with key researchers working in Scotland bodies such as BP, Lloyds TSB Our Research Awards programme Foundation for Scotland and the continued to support some of the Scottish Government that we were most outstanding young scientists able to provide these awards and and innovators working in we offer our sincere thanks to Scotland today. It creates condi- each of these partners, for their tions that attract those with continuing support.

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The following awards in science Also funded by Scottish Govern- were made during the session: ment grant, during the Session ·One CRF Personal Research our Arts & Humanities programme Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences supported the award of: ·Seven CRF European Visiting ·Six Research Workshops Research Fellowships in Arts, ·Nine Small Research Grants Humanities & Social Sciences ·Four Research Networks ·One Lloyds TSB Foundation for ·Two Major Research Grants Scotland Research Studentship Two existing Research Networks ·Cormack awards: one Undergrad- were supported in their second uate Prize, one Postgraduate Prize year of a two-year grant. and six Vacation Research Scholarships plus one Piazzi The Major Research Grants were Smyth Vacation Scholarship awarded for the first time this year to support a new Edinburgh ·Four Lessells Travel Scholarships Edition of the Collected Works of ·One D S MacLagan Travel Grant Robert Louis Stevenson and the The Scottish Government-funded cataloguing, exhibition and re- Personal Research Fellowship interpretation of ‘Turkey Red’ and scheme is the largest fellowship other decorative textile collections scheme administered by the RSE held at the National Museums of for postdoctoral researchers and Scotland. the research fellowships lever Since its inception in February benefits for Scottish research – 2007 this programme has since 2003, £6.1m of support enabled 57 individuals to develop provided for fellowships has links with people and organisa- enabled more than £46.8m of tions they would not otherwise further research funding to be have easily been able to work obtained by research fellows. with. Early evidence shows that Because of Scottish Government the objective of improving funding reductions, we placed a understanding of human culture moratorium on making new past and present is being met by awards from January 2011, but setting in motion long-term aim, subject to Scottish Govern- dialogue, both interdisciplinary ment funding, to lift this and inter-institutional, across moratorium in 2012. Meantime, Scotland and beyond, involving we continued during the session artists, curators, art historians, to support sixteen Personal librarians, archivists, scientists and Research Fellows who had research students. received their award prior to the moratorium.

20 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting

Sir John Enderby began and is independent-minded and respon- currently chairing, a review of the sible nation at home and abroad impact of these awards. The and confident of its place in the review will play an important part world. in determining future funding for Since 2003, Scottish Government this scheme and how it supports funding has supported the Scottish Government National establishment of formal Memo- Outcomes. An interim report is randa of Understanding between expected to be available by mid- the RSE and 12 overseas sister September 2011. Academies, and also supported One Auber Bequest Award was the development and mainte- made this session, in the field of nance of relationships and Divinity. activities with other overseas We once again provided partner Academies. Based on the good support to “Scottish Crucible”, relationships developed, the which is based on the highly Bilateral and Open exchange successful Crucible training schemes support researcher scheme developed by the National exchanges that lead to collabora- Endowment for Science, Technolo- tive projects and result in further gy and the Arts (NESTA). The research funding from other Scottish programme is funded by sources. A particularly strong part NESTA and the Scottish Funding of the programme, which cements Council, with additional support relationships and collaborations, coming from Universities Scot- are the joint research projects run land. This programme enabled 31 over two years between Scottish talented researchers from across and overseas Institutes (currently Scotland to come together to the National Natural Science explore and expand their capacity Foundation of China (NSFC)), and problem solving through a supporting longer-term collabora- series of intensive two-day tions and levering further workshops. funding. 2) Increasing Scotland’s research During the Session, 27 Bilateral and development connections and 22 Open Exchange Scheme internationally grants were awarded, which amounted to 144 person-weeks Our International Programme of researcher support for visits helps create conditions for between Scotland and over 20 talented people to live, learn, visit, countries worldwide. Seven new work and remain in Scotland; and joint projects with the NSFC were supports Scotland’s reputation as awarded for two years from a distinctive global identity, an Spring 2011 in the area of

21 Review of the Session 2010-2011

information science and 11 3. Improving connections existing joint projects in manage- between business and ment science, engineering and academia public policy, and biological The Enterprise Fellowship schemes sciences were supported in their run by the RSE encourage com- first and second years. Funding mercialisation of was also awarded for collabora- technology-based business ideas tion between the University of from academic institutions into Stirling and the Institute of spin-out companies. The schemes Automation, The Chinese Acade- help create sustainable companies my of Sciences, to support a with high-value jobs that make a Scotland–China Higher Education positive contribution to the Research Partnership for PhD economy in the long term. We studies in the area of telecommu- administer three Enterprise nications and information Fellowship Schemes, funded technologies. separately by Scottish Enterprise In partnership with the French (SE), the Science and Technology Embassy in London, the University Facilities Council (STFC) and the of Edinburgh and the College de Biotechnology and Biological France, a seminar series of eight Sciences Research Council events entitled Seven Keys to the (BBSRC). Digital Future was held in October The Enterprise Fellows selected 2010 as the first stage of a three- demonstrate the entrepreneurial year collaboration. The spirit needed to create a thriving collaboration will consist of events business from a research idea. run for early-career French and What the fellowship offers is Scottish scientists in areas of support to develop business skills, science where there is excellence through intensive business in both France and Scotland. The training and mentoring, introduc- purpose of the seminars is to tions to potential collaborators, explore and publicly present areas investors and other specialists to of science in which both Scotland help get businesses up and and France have strengths and to running. stimulate Franco-Scottish collabo- ration in science. The RSE/SE Enterprise Fellowships programme, which aims to In November 2010, the Rt Hon appoint sixty Fellowships over five Lord Patten of Barnes CH deliv- years has appointed twenty nine ered the annual MacCormick over the first three years. The fifth European Lecture entitled Europe- round took place in Spring 2010 an Foreign Policy - is it Desirable from which three Fellows were and Possible.

22 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting

appointed and took up post in 2010 recipient was Matt McGrath, October 2010. The sixth round founder of life sciences firm took place in Autumn 2010 five Aircraft Medical, which has fellows were appointed and took developed the world’s first fully up post in Spring 2011. This portable video laryngoscope. This Fellowship scheme has created 61 technological innovation, devel- (64% survival rate) companies, oped in Scotland, is designed to which in the last five years have address the risk of failure to secured £51m of further invest- deliver oxygen to a patient once ment for the £5.5m funding they have received a general given. anaesthetic prior to surgery and it Both of the Research Council has already been used in over schemes operate on a UK-wide 250,000 cases around the world. basis and encourage the commer- This was the final year of this cialisation of research previously award and we are extremely funded by BBSRC and STFC. The grateful to the Gannochy Trust for BBSRC scheme attracted an its generous support, which encouraging number of applica- resulted in us being able to tions and, following a rigorous recognise the work of seven selection process, one BBSRC highly innovative and entrepre- Enterprise Fellow took up post in neurial individuals. Moreover, October 2010, with another this support has helped contrib- taking up post in Spring 2011. ute to Scotland’s wellbeing Two STFC Enterprise Fellowships through generating around £4 awarded in June 2010 began in million of added value for the October 2010. Scottish economy, as evidenced by One RSE Entrepreneurs’ Club an independent evaluation of the meeting took place during the programme. Session. The meeting planned for The RSE Business Innovation December 2010 was cancelled Forum identified the crucial role of due to bad weather. The Spring national infrastructure in support- meeting was held in April, when ing the national economy, with thirty-five people attended a powerful digital networks being discussion dinner on The chal- increasingly vital parts of this lenges of competing for funding. infrastructure, and set up a Since 2003, with the support of working group to look at the the Gannochy Trust, the RSE has issues. In October 2010, the RSE awarded an annual Innovation published a report entitled Digital Award of £50,000 to recognise Scotland, setting out why Scot- Scotland’s young innovators. The land’s digital future is a crucial issue, why Scotland needs to act,

23 Review of the Session 2010-2011

and what needs to be done. The We continued to develop our Scottish Government’s strategy for corporate engagement initiative “Scotland’s Digital Future”, entitled Friends of the Society published in March 2011, (Corporate Partners of the Royal reflected recommendations made Society of Edinburgh) which was in the Digital Scotland report. launched in April 2009. By Members of the working group September 2011 we had 13 have met with key figures in the members, up five from the Scottish Government and the previous year. The current mem- Scottish Futures Trust to promote bers are Aberdeen Asset the recommendations from the Management, Arup, BP, FES Ltd, report, including meeting with The Herald, Lloyds Banking Alex Neil MSP, the Cabinet Group, RBS, Scottish Resources Secretary for Infrastructure and Group, SCDI, Shell, Standard Life, Capital Investment, in September Toshiba and the Wood Group. 2011. 4. Enhancing the capacity of In December 2010 the Forum held school- aged children to adopt a joint event with the Swiss science as a career Embassy on Stimulating Innova- RSE Fellows and other experts tion. This compared the continued to share their knowl- experiences of stimulating edge and understanding of innovation in Scotland and science and culture with school Switzerland with a view to helping students, with a particular focus improve innovation policy in on enthusing those already Scotland by learning from Switzer- “engaged”, and reaching those land’s successful approaches. The who are not in close proximity to event was also used as an oppor- Scottish Universities and Science tunity to launch the RSE’s Centres, and who therefore have Innovation-Friendly Scotland more limited opportunity to Advice Paper, which identified key participate and meet with experts. priorities for the support of Our School Programme events business innovation development were held throughout Scotland, in Scotland. During 2011, one of with the majority taking place as the members of the Forum has part of the RSE@ Dumfries and gone round key figures in the Galloway Programme, such as the business community to gain their RSE Christmas Lecture. The lecture insight into how the issues - Reporting the World in an Age identified in the Advice Paper can of Conflict - was delivered by Allan best be progressed. It is expected Little, BBC Foreign Affairs Corre- that this will result in a supple- spondent and was webcast by the mentary paper. BBC from the venue – . 24 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting

Building on the success of the learning and debate between S5 pilot RSE@ project in Arbroath, and S6 pupils from two schools this year-long, locally-tailored from Glasgow and Fife. The programme of outreach activities discussion focused on conserva- was successfully delivered. Events tion and biodiversity, using the for school children and adults film Avatar as a source of inspira- took place in venues, towns and tion. A resource pack and DVD villages across the region, includ- were developed after the event ing Langholm, Dumfries, New and these are available to schools Galloway, Newton Stewart, throughout Scotland via the RSE Stranraer, Lockerbie and Kirkcud- website, and shortly through bright. These focus on themes, GLOW. both historical and contemporary, ·A national schools competition in that were relevant to the region, liaison with the RSE Inquiry and included science and the Facing Up to Climate Change - in environment, history and identity, which ten schools took part (five literature and the arts and primary and five secondary) entrepreneurship. The evaluation evidence gathered from partici- 5. Enhancing the public’s under- pants shows that the project standing of science and culture considerably enhanced and issues improved the understanding and We planned and organised the appreciation that people, particu- delivery and promotion of a larly school-aged children, have multidisciplinary programme of for their local community. events aimed at a wide variety of Other core activities also took audiences. We delivered 40 place outside of the RSE@ events, comprising 31 Lectures, 4 project, Discussion Forums and 5 Confer- and these included: ences. ·Nine interactive Start-up Science Lectures Masterclasses for S1 and S2 ·Franco-Scottish Science Seminar pupils in university venues Series: Seven Keys to the Digital around Scotland Future ·An additional RSE@ Schools Talk ·Thomas Telford “Colossus of delivered at Grangemouth High Roads” (RSE@ Dumfries and School by Professor Henry Galloway) Ellington, entitled A Guided Tour ·European Foreign Policy – is it of the Universe. Desirable and Possible? ·The annual RSE Discussion Forum, featuring a day of

25 Review of the Session 2010-2011

·Harvesting Earth’s Energy from Scotland (RSE@ Dumfries and Wind, Water and Waves (RSE@ Galloway) Dumfries and Galloway) ·Fantin-Latour: Flower Painter ·Climate Change: a Process not an Extraordinaire (RSE@ Dumfries Event and Galloway) ·Reporting the World in an Age of ·Preventing Cancers of the Breast Conflict and Colon by How we Choose to ·The Next Economy Live Every Day ·Why Do We need a Lighthouse? ·Seeing Scotland Afresh – How we The Bell Rock and the Stevensons Look to a Changing World Now ·Mathematics in the Real World: ·Food Security and Sustainability: From Brain Tumours to Saving One Can’t Make an Omelette Marriage (RSE@ Dumfries and Without Cracking Some Eggs Galloway) ·On Our Humble Dumfries ·Radiation and Reason: Straight Boards... the Plays, the Performers and Open Thinking about and some of the Politics in the Choosing Nuclear First Ten Years (RSE@ Dumfries ·Nation, Town, Memory – Krakow and Galloway) Experience ·Gannochy Trust Innovation Lectures as part of Medieval Award Prize Lecture Week held in partnership with ·The Twin Towers: Ten years – Ten the British Academy Lessons on Sustainable Infra- ·Monuments in Motion structure ·Portable Christianity: Relics in the ·Galloway Waterways (RSE@ Medieval (c700-120) Dumfries and Galloway) ·He That All Our Comford Was? ·Early Watchers of the Skies – Robert the Bruce in Scottish Makdougall Brisbane and Other Sources Before Barbour’s Bruce Great Scottish Astronomers ·More than ‘Skimble-Skamble’ ·The European Nitrogen Cycle in a Stuff: the Medieval Welsh Poetry Global Context Associated with Owain Glyndwr ·The Significance of David Hume: ·The Middle Ages – A Distant Scepticism, Science and Supersti- Mirror – Medieval Life and Death tion through the Centuries ·The Lowland Clearances and the ·Personifications of Old Age in Transformation of Southwest Medieval Poetry

26 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting

·The Past as Propaganda: The and 25 written summary reports Declaration of Arbroath of activities in the public events ·The Past as Propaganda: The and schools programme were Mongol ‘World History’ published on the site soon after the events had taken place. We Discussion Forums are developing our new website, ·A Healthy Message? Understand- launched in May 2011, to further ing the History and Exploring the improve the reporting of and Future of Public Health Cam- access to our activities. We are paigns in Scotland also using and developing social network mediums such as Twitter, ·Assisted Dying: The Debate. A Facebook and Linkedin as a means Mock Trial of communicating the RSE to the ·Trident – Should we keep it? outside world. ·Facing up to Climate Change Media briefings and press releases Conferences were provided for most major events and launches, and there ·The Bell Rock Lighthouse, the was appreciable media coverage Stevensons and Emerging Issues of many of the significant activi- in Aids to Navigation ties in the RSE programme. ·Selkies, Kelpies & Watery Tales – Four issues of ReSourcE, the RSE Family Workshop (RSE@ Dumfries newsletter were published and and Galloway) distributed to the Fellowship and ·Your Genes and Clinical Re- around 2,500 others, including search: Being More than a business leaders, journalists, Guinea Pig? research institutes, schools, MPs, MSPs and interested individuals. ·Gardens in Art and Science Workshop (RSE@ Dumfries and Fellows received a monthly e- Galloway) bulletin, which enabled them to keep up to date with and, if The Society also continued to appropriate, disseminate informa- enhance people’s appreciation tion on the RSE and its work. In and understanding through other addition, eight public e-bulletins modes of communication. were sent out during the Session The RSE website was updated to advertise various events and regularly and provided informa- schools activities. tion for the public and for Fellows. Two issues of Science Scotland This year an increased number entitled Informatics and The (20) of audio/ video recordings of Search for New Drugs were events were added to the website, published in the year. Science

27 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Scotland continues to increase 6. Informing and influencing people’s awareness of cutting- public policy decisions edge science and technology Key outputs of our Policy Advice activities in Scotland. unit were: Through the RSE Scotland ·Two briefing papers, one for Foundation we continued to MSPs on the Curriculum for publish two journals, Earth and Excellence and a paper on the Environmental Science Transac- Future of Agricultural Support for tions of the Royal Society of the Rural Edinburgh and Proceedings A: Affairs and Environment Commit- Mathematics. Copies of the tee; and journals were sent to 350 Univer- sity Libraries, Academies and ·Seventeen Advice papers, 13 to Institutions world wide, as part of the Scottish Parliament and/or the Society’s exchange pro- the Scottish Government, on a gramme. The journals are highly range of topics including: the regarded by academics as publica- End of Life Assistance (Scotland) tion vehicles for their research, Bill; and the Double Jeopardy and they both maintained a (Scotland) Bill. Three of these respectably high impact in Advice papers were proactive comparison with similar journals interventions:-Innovation-Friendly in their fields. Scotland, An Agenda for Evalua- tion of Educational Reforms and Six issues of Proceedings A and The Teaching of History in seven issues of Transactions were Scottish Schools. published during the session. Oral evidence to Scottish Parlia- The digitisation of the RSE’s mentary Committees was archive journals – Transactions provided on a range of subjects (1785–1979), Transactions:Earth including: Sciences (1980–2001),roceedings (1832–1940), Proceedings A ·Carbon Capture and Storage; (1941–1999) and Proceedings B Digital Scotland; The Future of (1941–1996) was progressed by Agricultural support; Climate Cambridge University Press during change; Women in Science; The the Session and will be marketed Inquiry into Preventative Spend- and made available for sale to the ing. public during 2011–12, thus A ’Science and the Parliament’ making the RSE’s highly regarded event was held in partnership with journal archive more easily the Royal Society of Chemistry and accessible to a world-wide which attracted 34 exhibitors, audience. more than 300 delegates includ-

28 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting

ing MSPs. Amongst the keynote Our Education Committee speakers, on the topic of Science members contributed to the and the Scottish General Election development of policy in relation were: Ian Gray MSP, Professor to helping 21st Century education Anne Glover (Chief Scientific in Scotland, most specifically in Adviser for Scotland) Professor relation to improving science, Paul Hagan (Director of Research computing and history education and Innovation, SFC), Dr Oonagh in schools. Following its submis- Loughran (Life Sciences, Scottish sion to Graham Donaldson’s Enterprise). Also in partnership Review of Teacher Education in with the RSC, a Science Question Scotland, members of the Educa- Time hustings meeting was held tion Committee met with Mr in the Scottish Parliament in Donaldson to discuss the issues March in advance of the Scottish being explored by his review. General Election, with the involve- In partnership with the Royal ment of all five parties Society of Chemistry (RSC) we represented in the Parliament. undertook a Chemistry exemplifi- Our Facing Up to Climate Change cation project to support Inquiry, launched in October Curriculum for Excellence imple- 2009, continued its work during mentation. The RSE/RSC the Session and issued its Report exemplification materials were in March 2011. A programme of launched in November 2010 with events disseminating findings and a class of S2 pupils at Craigmount recommendations has been High School in Edinburgh. The taking place since then. The materials were developed by Dr Inquiry took written and oral Shona Scheuerl, Dollar Academy, evidence from over 110 organisa- who was, for a year, seconded on tions, more than 40 individuals a part-time basis to explore the and from six public meetings exemplification of a subset of around Scotland, involving some chemistry-related Curriculum for 400 people. The Committee also Excellence experiences and visited exemplar case studies, outcomes into classroom work, hosted or took part in over 30 materials and laboratory or seminars and conferences, and outside activities. The exemplifica- carried out a national schools’ tion materials produced, including competition. The Inquiry received teachers’ and pupils’ guides, are funding from over twenty corpo- hosted on the RSC website with rate and charitable supporters, links from the RSE, Scottish and the RSE is grateful for their Schools Education Research assistance in ensuring the Inquiry Centre, Education Scotland and remained wholly independent. GLOW (Scotland’s national

29 Review of the Session 2010-2011

intranet for schools). A similar (Physical Engineering and Infor- project, in partnership with the matic Sciences – Sector B),16% British Computer Society, focusing (Humanities and Creative Arts – on computing science began in Sector C) and 11% (Social Scienc- August 2011. The materials for es, Education and Public Service – this are being developed by Mr Sector D). Jeremy Scott, the Head Teacher of The annual New Fellows Induction Computing at George Heriot’s Day took place in May and was School, Edinburgh, who has been attended by 43 new Fellows. They seconded on a part-time basis. were given an introduction to the 7. Sustaining and utilising our Society by the President and met multi-disciplinary Fellowship Council members and staff, and recognising outstanding before being formally admitted achievement and excellence into the Fellowship. We continued to sustain and Fellows were once again, in utilise our multi-disciplinary various capacities, pivotal to the Fellowship and to recognise Society’s delivery of public benefit outstanding achievement and activities. The many Committees excellence. which oversee these activities are In March 2011, we announced comprised overwhelmingly of the election of four Correspond- Fellows of the Society. These ing Fellows, one Honorary Fellow Committees cover governance, and 40 Fellows. This followed the operational and management scrutiny of 149 candidates matters. Amongst other activities, through a four-stage committee Fellows freely gave of their time process, culminating in the postal and their expertise in the selection ballot in December to the entire of Research and Enterprise Fellowship. Fellowship awardees; the award- ing of International Exchange The addition of new Fellows visits, various medals, grants and brought the numbers in the prizes; participating in the Fellowship up to 1546 - 66 planning of lectures, conferences Honorary Fellows; 61 Correspond- and discussion forums; contribut- ing Fellows and 1419 Ordinary ing to the Young People’s Fellows. programme; serving on Inquiry The discipline balance of the Committees and Editorial Boards; Fellowship is broadly represented and providing evidence and advice by four cognate sectors. In the to inform responses to policy and Ordinary Fellowship, the current decision makers. balance of these sectors is 36% (Life Sciences – Sector A), 37 %

30 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting

A major highlight of the Session Medal in 2011, which she was the presentation of the RSE received from Lord Wilson at a Royal Medals, presented by His ceremony at the University of Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh shortly before her Edinburgh at the Society in death in May 2011. The award August 2011. Medals were recognised her leading role in the awarded to: development of gene cloning ·Baroness Helena Kennedy of the technology which influenced the Shaws QC, for her outstanding course of biological research contribution to human rights and worldwide. civil liberties, access to education, His Royal Highness also presented arts and ethics. the IEEE/ RSE Wolfson/James Clerk ·Professor Desmond Smith OBE Maxwell Award for 2011 to Dr FRS, for his eminent work in Marcian “Ted” Hoff FIEEE, physics research, especially in recognising his developments in optoelectronics (electronics that programmable integrated circuitry detect and control light), spec- for a wide range of applications troscopy (the study of objects which led him to design the through their interaction with world’s first microprocessor – the light) and laser technology, and Intel 4004 – in 1968, paving the its application in industry and way for the personal computer research technology use that has shaped our modern- day home and working lives. ·Professor Noreen Murray CBE FRS, one of Britain’s most distinguished molecular geneti- cists, was also awarded a Royal

31

PRIZE LECTURES The Gannochy Trust Innovation Award Prize Lecture Benbecula to Anaesthesia – and Beyond Matt McGrath CEO, Aircraft Medical 9 March 2011

The Gannochy Trust Innovation Award of the Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland’s highest accolade for individual achievement in innovation. Carrying a prize of £50,000, it was first awarded in 2003. Established in partnership between The Gannochy Trust and The Royal Society of Edin- burgh, the purpose of the award is to encourage younger people to pursue careers in fields of research which promote Scotland’s inventiveness internationally, and to recognise outstanding individual achievement which contributes to the common good of Scotland. The prestigious award also seeks to promote Scotland’s research and development capability in new technologies and areas of social importance. 2010 winner, Matt McGrath, was recently named “Young Scot of the Year.” In his Prize Lecture at the RSE, the 33-year-old CEO of Aircraft Medical revealed the story behind his company’s products – which are not just creating jobs and boosting exports from Scotland, but also saving lives around the world...

McGrath began by describing his into the world of big business – personal background, from his he earned his spurs running the birthplace in Benbecula in 1977 sweetshop at school. to the University of Northumbria While still at Newcastle, McGrath in Newcastle, where he graduated twice won the Royal Society of with a first-class honours degree Arts student design award, an in industrial design. At school, honour he shares with only two one of his teachers “brain- other ‘double’ winners – Jonathan washed” him into the culture of Ive, Head of Design at Apple Inc., winning – a man who made Sir and fashion designer Vivienne Alex Ferguson seem gentle by Westwood. Doing the work for comparison. From his parents, he the second award in 1999 was a inherited his entrepreneurial spirit pivotal moment in the young – they ran their own construction man’s career, because it first business. And Aircraft Medical, exposed him to a medical device the company he founded ten called the laryngoscope, with his years ago, was not his first venture design brief to improve a product

33 Review of the Session 2010-2011

largely unchanged for the past 50 cross-contamination – plus the years, and something he had threat of litigation. never even heard of before. The new design was based on McGrath described good industri- feedback from hundreds of al design as a combination of medical professionals, and also skills which come from opposite reflected what McGrath described sides of the brain – maths, physics as a trend towards designing and art. And when he applied “more distilled devices” with the modern industrial design princi- complexity designed out and ples to the laryngoscope (a device some of the level of refinement for inspecting the larynx so you might expect from a high-end doctors can insert a tube to help consumer device. McGrath also patients breathe during anaesthe- explained how his company has sia), he saw something which the been influenced by automotive engineers and medics who had design, particularly companies worked together on past laryngo- such as BMW - whose researchers scope designs had missed. have studied the potential to add McGrath’s new and refined design “humanistic content” into proved a winner – and led to the automotive design. The same may birth of a product which has since be relevant to medical devices, generated millions of dollars in which after all are human- sales and been used on more than controlled. 300,000 patients. McGrath As well as describing some of the displayed a quote throughout his influences behind his company’s lecture to sum up the scale of the approach to designing its devices, problem: “Airway problems McGrath spelled out the human remain the most frequent cause of cost of breathing problems death or brain damage associated during anaesthesia, with 30 with anaesthesia.” people per month in the US and Two years later, McGrath founded Europe having suffered brain Aircraft Medical to develop the damage or death because of new laryngoscope design, which failed intubations. The Macintosh was not only more streamlined device, designed in 1943, is used but also provided an onboard to help millions of patients a year, video image, without using but can’t “see round corners” and cables, providing doctors with a is hard to insert without risking better view inside the airway, harming the patient. The first making it easier to insert a tube commercial video laryngoscopes, and helping to reduce problems introduced in around 2002, such as patient trauma, lacera- helped to address this, dealing tions, broken teeth and with the approximately 8.5 per

34 Prize and Bequest Lectures

cent of cases termed “difficult,” generating in excess of $25m in as well as improving the view of the four years since its launch. the user, which has proved useful McGrath’s mission is to make in training. video laryngoscopes the standard The McGrath® Series 5 was of care and “introduce the life- introduced in 2006 after years of saving benefits of video into research by McGrath and his team mainstream clinical practice.” His at Aircraft Medical, and advanced new device, the McGrath® MAC, the video laryngoscope in a is designed to compete with the number of ways, including current standard-of-care Macin- portability, a better anterior view, tosh laryngoscope which is still an LCD screen and battery power. used in around 90 per cent of all With support from a number of intubations, without video organisations, including the capability, while use of the Series Prince’s Trust and the Wellcome 5 and other video laryngoscopes Trust, the prototypes were largely remains limited to a small developed with “a super-curved percentage of specialist cases due blade to better follow the anato- to their design and price. my,” and a camera stick inside the Manufactured in Dalgety Bay in blade – the first of its kind to be Fife, the McGrath® MAC is the guaranteed sterile. The design world’s first high-value, low-cost was “influenced by clinical portable video laryngoscope. observations,” said McGrath, Designed to complement the “combined with good structural original premium McGrath® design.” Rival designs were more Series 5, it offers clinicians the bulky and not so portable because advantages of video laryngoscopy they used cables for power. – at low cost – while allowing The design has been enhanced medics to maintain their “hard since then, but Aircraft Medical learned” skills of the traditional has also addressed the limitations Macintosh technique. The benefit of the original product, particular- – medics around the world already ly the need for a low-cost, know how to use the McGrath® mass-market device. The Series 5, MAC. This important dual which sells for up to $9,000 plus capability is designed to raise the $12 each for disposable blades, is global standard of care for fast capable of addressing the most and simple intubation in everyday difficult cases once the user has practice, by adding the capability invested some time to become to address more difficult cases as expert in its use. Sales of the they arise, including potentially Series 5 have been impressive, fatal unexpected difficult airways, through the addition of perma- nent video enhancement. 35 Review of the Session 2010-2011

The McGrath® MAC system, applications in the intubation including the handle and the instrument and anaesthesia display monitor, meets Aircraft’s technology space. The company HLDi standard. Introduced in now has a network of distributors 2008, Aircraft’s HLDi standard in 33 countries, with a total of exceeds the strictest infection 250 sales representatives trained control requirements, which in airway management and include recent advancements in McGrath® laryngoscope demon- vaporised hydrogen peroxide stration. sterilisation systems. “Video is undoubtedly the future Aircraft Medical has also improved of laryngoscopy,” McGrath stated. manufacturing methods and “We’re planning for the future – developed a new type of chassis, medics will perform over 500 reducing production costs by 70 million intubations over the next per cent. ten years; tens of thousands of Aircraft Medical started generat- doctors will grow up using video ing profits soon after it launched laryngoscopes. And Aircraft its first product, and it now has Medical is now getting ready to over 50 patents and patent scale up to meet this demand.”

36 LECTURES Thomas Telford ‘Colossus of Roads’ ...... 38 Engineering a Sustainable Scotland ...... 41 Harvesting Earth’s Energy from Wind, Water and Waves ...... 45 European Foreign Policy – Is it Desirable and Possible? ...... 50 Climate Change: A process Not an Event ...... 56 Medieval Week: Portable Christianity: Relics in the Medieval West (c700–120) ...... 60 More than “Skimble-Skamble” Stuff : The Medieval Welsh Poetry Associated with Owain Glyndyr ...... 61 Personifications of Old Age in Medieval Poetry ...... 61 The Past as Propaganda in the Declaration of Arbroath ...... 62 The Past as Propaganda: The Mongol “World History” ...... 62 Reporting the World in an Age of Conflict ...... 63 The Next Economy ...... 71 Why Do We Need a Lighthouse? The Bell Rock and the Stevensons Now...... 76 Food Security and Sustainability: One can’t make an omelette without cracking some eggs ...... 77 On Our Humble Dumfries Boards…the Plays, the Performers and some of the Politics in the First Ten Years of the Dumfries Theatre ... 81 The Twin Towers: 10 years – 10 Lessons on Sustainable Infrastructure ...... 89 Galloway Waterways ...... 93 Early Watchers of the Skies – Makdougall Brisbane and Other Great Scottish Astronomers ...... 101 The European Nitrogen Cycle in a Global Context ...... 105 The Significance of David Hume: Scepticism, Science and Superstition ...... 109 The Lowland Clearances and the Transformation of Southwest Scotland ...... 114 Fantin-Latour – Flower Painter Extraordinaire ...... 120 Preventing Cancers of the Breast and Colon by How We Choose to Live Every Day ...... 124 Seeing Scotland Afresh – How We Look to a Changing World ...... 128 Mathematics in the Real World: From Brain Tumours to Saving Marriages ...... 131 Radiation and Reason: Straight and Open Thinking about Choosing Nuclear ...... 135 Nation, Town, Memory – the Kraków Experience Kraków in the European Core ...... 139

37 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Professor Roland Paxton MBE FRSE 13 October 2010 Thomas Telford ‘Colossus of Roads’ at The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

Telford’s achievements in early an architect. A year later he moved 19th–Century engineering earned on again, to London, where he him the accolades from Robert was a stonemason working on Southey, the Poet Laureate at the Somerset House, and from there time, of ‘Colossus of Roads’ and to Shropshire. ‘Pontifex Maximus’. Telford was It was in Shropshire that Thomas also renowned for his outstand- Telford became established under ing promotion of the importance the patronage of William John- of knowledge and education. This stone (who was to become Sir illustrated presentation from William Pulteney), heir to the Earl Professor Roland Paxton, Heriot- of Bath and reputed to be the Watt University, detailed Telford’s richest commoner in . life from humble origins in Telfor switched from stonemason- Eskdale to becoming the greatest ry to architecture and went on to civil engineer of his era. become County Surveyor for Thomas Telford was born in 1757 Shropshire. Indeed, a drawing of in Glendinning, to the north of the ruins of the Roman Baths in Langholm. He was actually the Wroxeter in the county, dating second Thomas Telford, his elder from 1788, is considered to be brother of the same name having one of the earliest surviving died in infancy. Initially training as drawings by Telford. a stonemason, part of his early In his County Surveyor role, work was on Langholm Bridge. Telford was involved with a variety Examining the bridge, Professor of projects such as houses, Paxton has found what he churches, including Bridgenorth believes is Telford’s mason mark – Church, roads and bridges, and an arrow with a lozenge at the top canals. Additionally, Sir William and a cross halfway along the Pulteney, as a patron of the British shaft. Fisheries Society, engaged Telford Telford was soon to outgrow the in some of his other favourite opportunities in Langholm and projects, including designing moved to Edinburgh, where he parts of the street areas and worked on the New Town, and harbours in Ullapool and Wick in also learnt to draw and become the 1790s.

38 Lectures

Returning to Shropshire, Telford less iron than the original was to proceed with a number of Coalbrookdale Bridge, yet had a significant bridge-building 30% greater span. projects, including Montford Indeed, although it wasn’t actually Bridge, a ‘chunky’ masonry bridge built, this inspired Telford to that still carries traffic today, and design a 600 ft-span iron bridge, the more architecturally attractive remarkable when considered in bridge in Bewdley. Around the comparison with the fact that 100 same time, he also began working ft was the maximum possible at with iron, utilising it for the the time. beams of Longdon-on-Tern Aqueduct on the Shrewsbury Other major bridge and road Canal. Iron and masonry were building projects works continued subsequently combined in his in Scotland. In Dumfries and major aqueduct works at Elles- Galloway, this included a road mere and Pontcysyllte, which were scheme in Kirkcudbright, the described by Professor Paxton as Tongland Bridge and the Glasgow the “greatest structural engineer- to Carlisle road passing through ing achievements of the canal the region. In the Highlands, this age”. The latter uses a cast iron included over 1000 miles of roads arch to support the 1000 ft-long and bridges, including Bonar trough above it, a unique state-of- Bridge, Glen Shiel Bridge and the-art design for 1805, and Dunkeld Bridge, the largest of the making it deserving of its ‘World Highland bridges. Heritage Site’ status now. An Canals also feature significantly in artefact from the time that Telford’s work, most notably the Professor Paxton has acquired Caledonian Canal running across personally, and is the only one Scotland from Fort William to known to still be in existence, is a Inverness, linking Loch Linnhe to wax-seal on a Telford letter the Beauly Firth through Loch carrying the initials TT and images Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness. of both Pontycysyllte and Chirk Particular achievements are the aqueducts. eight-lock ‘Neptune’s Staircase’ at Focusing on ironworks and the southern end at Corpach and developing from the first major the sea outlet lock at the northern iron bridge at Coalbrookdale, end, where the ground clay was Telford looked for opportunities so soft it had to be ‘preconsolidat- to use iron more effectively, i.e. ed’ with stones to force it down using less in total but at the same before the lock could be built up. time increasing the span. Putting Telford was also involved in other this into practice, his design for canals, especially in the Midlands, the Buildwas Bridge used 50% where he was a consulting

39 Review of the Session 2010-2011

engineer to 30 companies. This to recognise and refer to him as included development of Elles- ‘Sir Thomas Telford’. mere Port, which was to become As well as all his work on actual the most important interchange projects, Telford continued to between the canal network and consider new ideas and from the sea. His general approach was 1814 to develop designs for to maintain straight lines and bridges, including a 1000 ft-wide levels where possible, which iron wire suspension bridge. This explains the number of high established some important bridges that are encountered principles on which future designs along the routes of his canals. for major suspension bridges, Other maritime developments such as at Runcorn and across the were substantial, sophisticated Menai Straits, would be based dock works, such as St Catherine’s upon. The Menai Bridge, engi- in London. neered by Telford, was the world’s A further strand to Telford’s civil first great suspension bridge. engineering was his work on Professor Paxton concluded with a roads, both as the lead engineer few comments on Telford himself, on specific major projects such as reporting that he never actually the London to Holyhead connec- married as he was always working. tion and in his provision of a His philosophy on civil engineer- manual of his general rules for ing was that it was about the art preparing and repairing roads. All of directing great forces of nature the Turnpike trusts utilised this for the use and convenience of manual, which was more compre- mankind, and indeed no one did hensive than McAdam’s book on more to put this into practice. road making that was published Recognition for his contribution at a similar time. The key differ- included being the first president ences were that Telford’s of the Institute of Civil Engineers guidelines dealt with foundations, and, following his death in 1834, profiles and gradients, whereas he was buried in Westminster McAdam focused on the top Abbey. However, the biggest surfaces. testaments to Telford are the Internationally, Telford was multitude of civil engineering engaged as a consultant engineer projects that he directed, a by the King of Sweden, who was number of which last through to today, some two centuries later.

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Mr Brian Veitch 13 October 2010 Engineering a Sustainable Scotland The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

Scotland faces a challenging forefront of which is climate future. Economic, climatic and change. social issues, coupled with Isambard Kingdom Brunel was depletion of resources, will drive another 19th-Century giant of change. How will Scotland engineering. Like Telford, he respond and adapt? Brian Veitch, responded to the challenges of from the global consultancy his time, designing and building practice Arup, discusses how we railways, steamships, bridges and can move to a sustainable future buildings. Recognised by many as by employing our strengths in his greatest work, the Great engineering, science and technol- Western Railway, running initially ogy to harness and benefit from between London and Bristol, was these drivers of change—and by driven by the economic need to building on the legacy of Telford. improve communications between Whilst ‘engineering a sustainable the capital city and the country’s Scotland’ is a challenge for today main west coast shipping port. and the future, there are interest- Brunel famously broadened his ing parallels with the work of involvement by actively participat- Thomas Telford some 200 years ing in promoting his projects, and earlier. Telford’s prodigious particularly by taking a proactive engineering output of roads, role in raising the finance required bridges, canals, harbours and to make them happen. Brian buildings represented significant Veitch suggests that in this time of advances that resulted from the economic uncertainty, today’s drive for economic and social engineers may need to take a development that existed at that similarly broad and proactive time. Brian Veitch argue that, approach to making their projects although today’s engineering happen. challenges may be somewhat different, these too result from a Arup is a 10,000-strong global drive to provide much needed consultancy practice which advises improvements that respond to on the planning, design and present-day economic, social, and management of building and environmental issues – at the infrastructure projects – in Scotland and around the world.

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Its work revolves around meeting mass population movement from the transport, health, education, the countryside into cities, housing and energy needs of creating increased energy de- today – and includes the new mands and congestion issues. At Forth Crossing, the two main new the same time, the trend over the

buildings for the Glasgow 2014 last 200 years of increasing CO2 in Commonwealth Games, the the atmosphere will continue to Scottish Parliament, the Falkirk increase steeply, accelerating the Wheel, Europe’s largest wind farm ‘greenhouse effect’ which most at Whitelea near Glasgow, the scientific opinion associates with Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail the rises in average temperature Improvement Project, residential now being observed. These development at Quartermile on changes can be traced back to the the site of the former Royal industrial revolution, when the Infirmary of Edinburgh, the burning of fossil fuels com-

Edinburgh Bio-Quarter and new, menced, but the increase in CO2 rapid-assembly grandstands for emissions and rise in average the Royal Edinburgh Military temperature have been especially Tattoo. marked in recent years. Looking With a growing awareness of how ahead, the impact of the rising the Earth is changing climatically, temperatures will be a possible engineers have responded by melting of the ice caps and increasing the proportion of glaciers, with a corresponding rise energy generated using low- in sea level, possibly by up to one carbon, renewable devices, such metre, with catastrophic flooding as wind turbines, and by develop- implications. With a better ing the technologies required to understanding of the climatic deliver more energy-efficient, low- factors, the emphasis now is on carbon building and transport how to bring emissions under solutions. This even extends to the control so that temperature rise planning of entire new low- can be contained within accepta- carbon cities, including several by ble limits. Arup in China. Additionally, there Considering economics, there is a are social and economic factors close correlation between wealth which, in conjunction with and energy consumption, as climatic drivers, are likely to dictate illustrated by the USA which has the future agenda for infrastruc- both the largest GDP and the ture. A key social factor is the highest energy consumption. anticipated growth in global Conversely, less developed population from 6.5 billion up to countries have lower energy 9 billion by 2050, coupled with consumption; however this will

42 Lectures

change as these countries become Facing such challenges, Brian more developed. One question is Veitch suggested that there is whether this will be energy from pressure on engineers to come up renewable sources or from more with solutions. With regard to traditional polluting sources. energy, this relates to controlling

However, the means of develop- the amount of CO2 released into ment can also affect this. For the atmosphere, realistically example, transport is a significant recognising that fossil fuels will energy use which is correlated to continue to be used in many parts population density, with more of the world and that renewables dispersed communities consum- are not the answer to everything, ing more energy for transport. although they will be of increas- Thus, developing on the Hong ing significance. In addition to Kong model of very densely wind turbines, both onshore and populated cities will use less offshore, other renewable energy transport energy per capita, in sources are solar energy and tide comparison with the American and wave power. Another ap- model where city dwellers are proach is ‘carbon capture and more dispersed and car use is storage’ where carbon and CO2 more intensive. are removed before combustion The rapidly rising global popula- or captured afterwards and stored tion is leading to a depletion of underground. Indeed there is resources. For example, in terms of considerable engineering and land resources, in 1900 there scientific work ongoing at present were on average 7.9 hectares of on how these techniques can be the Earth’s surface per person, best applied, with Scottish which has reduced to 2 hectares universities taking a leading role now and is projected to continue with this research. One example is to fall to 1.4 hectares by 2050. At the development of a prototype the same time, existing oil for offshore wind turbines that resources are becoming depleted are easily maintainable with and the discovery of new reserves working parts at low level, yet able is diminishing whilst consumption to generate four times as much is increasing. Similar pressures are electricity as an onshore turbine. being exerted on food and water Whilst engineers can design and supplies. Current rates of con- supply the solutions, it is only sumption in any of these are possible to deploy these with unsustainable, and indeed could sufficient financial investment. In create significant issues in as little Scotland, significant investment as 50 years’ time. will be essential if it is to achieve the targets it has set for the coming decades.

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For example, this may include: engineers must interface with the · Offshore wind (£60 bn); Low investment community and carbon / energy efficient new & government to consider value for retro-fitted buildings (£60 bn); money and prioritisation. For Sustainable transport / high-speed example, in terms of return on rail (£30 bn); Improved transmis- investment, improved building sion grid between source and insulation offers one of the most consumption (£20 bn);Biomass cost-effective measures, with the heat and power plant using benefit quickly exceeding the cost sustainable timber and forests of deployment. (£2.1 bn); Sustainable cities (£1.5 In conclusion, whilst today’s world bn); University campus low-carbon is very different from the world of retrofits (£300 mil); Development Telford and Brunel two centuries of offshore wind turbine manu- earlier, the scale of the engineer- facturing sites at ports and ing challenge has not diminished. harbours (£225 mil) It can only be hoped that today’s Securing the funding for such engineers can match their achieve- projects is as important as the ments in meeting these technical challenges. As such, challenges.

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Professor Geoffrey Boulton OBE FRS FRSE 09 November 2010 Harvesting Earth’s Energy from Wind, Water and Waves Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

Dumfries and Galloway has a rich internal nuclear fission reactor in natural heritage. The waterways the centre of the Earth. The and climatic conditions have long evidence for the latter is evident in played a key part in the economy, the landscape around us in the culture, history, landscape and the form of extinct volcanoes such as regeneration of the region. This Ailsa Craig and Ben More on lecture explored the importance of Mull. wind, water and waves to Scot- The work of Isaac Newton in the land and discussed how recent 17th Century was the basis on developments in renewable which our subsequent under- energy technology will help us standing was built. We now achieve carbon reduction targets. recognise kinetic, potential, The energy in wind, water and thermal, electromagnetic, chemi- waves is derived from the Earth’s cal and nuclear energy. One form rotation and solar heating. of energy can be readily converted Humans have harvested the into another. For example, in the energy from these sources from swinging of a pendulum, poten- time immemorial and will contin- tial energy is converted into ue to do so in future. The kinetic and then back to potential landscape of Dumfries and energy. If there were no friction Galloway is an important resource and air resistance in the system, in the drive to increase the the pendulum would swing production of renewable energy forever. Energy cannot be lost, but and lower Scotland’s carbon is transformed into another form footprint. It is important that its that can range between highly development is managed properly, energetic and localised forms to recognising and harnessing the very weak and dispersed forms. contribution it can make in a way For example, by pulling atoms that benefits local communities apart, massive quantities of and is sustainable for the future. energy are released. Our energy originates from two If the Earth receives more energy sources, both nuclear. The first is from the Sun than is radiated back from the nuclear fusion reactor of into space, the Earth will get the Sun and the second an warmer and vice-versa; if the Earth

45 Review of the Session 2010-2011

gives out more energy, then the About 150 years ago, James Croll planet becomes progressively from Perthshire had a theory of colder. Thus, to maintain a climate change which was only constant temperature, the heat shown to be correct some 100 that the Earth receives from the years later. His theory, refined by a Sun must be lost to space at Serbian mathematician called exactly the same rate as it receives Milankovitch, predicted, and energy from the Sun. The clouds subsequent observations con- and gases in the atmosphere play firmed, a strong correlation an important role in regulating between changes in the Earth’s what this steady temperature will orbit around the Sun and the be. The surface temperatures of Earth’s climate. A Belgian mathe- the planets of the Solar System matician then calculated that the depend on their distances from fluctuations of global temperature the Sun, but also on the gas arising from this should be a composition of their atmospheres. maximum of half a degree Celsius, Over the last 25 years, satellite but geological reconstructions imagery shows that the Earth’s have shown actual differences of temperature has risen slightly, around six degrees Celsius although the complex manner in between the coldest part of the which energy fluctuates across the last Ice Age, 20,000 years ago, surface, turbulently transforming and the present day. The amplifi- energy between light, heat, sound cation of the Solar signal is and other forms, can make it attributed to atmospheric carbon difficult to distinguish these dioxide levels, noting that the trends at any one locality. oceans give out CO2 in warmer We now know a tremendous temperatures, thus exacerbating amount about how the energy/ the climate change effect. heat regime of the Earth has At end of the last Ice Age over changed dramatically in the past. Scotland and Europe, the land- Some of the best evidence comes scape was bare and devoid of from the Earth’s great ice sheets. trees and animal life; covered by From Antarctica, radio-echo raw mineral soils much like areas images show the depth of ice over of northern Greenland and the mountain ranges and valleys Iceland from which glaciers have varying between 1 km and 3 km, recently retreated. Using the whilst closer analysis of the evidence of pollen grains, insects chemistry of the layers of ice and and carbon dating of peat gases in small bubbles within it particles, we can create a picture provides much information on the of environmental evolution since climate over the last million years. that time. This shows that broad-

46 Lectures

leaved forests expanded in small amount of the total energy importance until about 6000 available in the Earth’s system. years ago, and then declined As fossil carbon has been the dramatically to be replaced by dominant fuel behind this herbs and grasses. This latter development, global carbon reflected the first largescale emissions can be considered a human clearances of the forest to proxy for the amount of real create space for . energy being used. This is illus- One of the unintended conse- trated by viewing a map showing quences of deforestation is that the irradiance over the globe now flooding has become more compared with one for 15 years frequent and more devastating. ago, which has much more of The reason is simply because the India, China, other parts of Asia speed of run off is determined by and South America lit up as a the amount of vegetation which result of globalisation. At the physically obstructs the flow of same time, most oil experts are water to the rivers. Trees also persuaded that we have passed absorb the water and transpire peak oil supply and resources will rainfall back to the atmosphere, decline quite quickly, depending thus reducing further the amount on population growth and global of rainfall reaching the rivers. economy. Indeed many analysts The extent of human progress has now presume that by 2050 there been largely determined by the will be a real scarcity of oil and extent that we are able to take prices will rise even more sharply energy from the Earth. This has than they currently are. The increased through time from early burning of fossil fuels results in an increase in CO emissions and tool making, to early agriculture, 2 to efficient agriculture in the other greenhouse gases in the mediaeval period, to the industrial atmosphere such that there is now a CO concentration of revolution and to today’s techno- 2 logically-intensive world. Energy 380ppm compared with 270 ppm consumption has increased in previous periods when the dramatically throughout this Earth has been similarly warm. evolution, taken up in food, Furthermore, global temperature heating, devices (e.g. computers, data over the last 130 years shows television) and transport, and a strong rise and, whilst many because of the large growth in variations are due to natural population. Consequently, we causes, the overall trend in the last abstract from nature much more 30 years in particular is highly energy than we did in the past, likely to be due to human activity. although this only represents a There is also considerable varia-

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tion between countries in terms of raw power would be the equiva- levels of atmospheric pollution, lent of 16kWh per person, which with the UK ten times higher than after inefficiencies would drop the Democratic Republic of down to 4 kWh per person, a Congo; half as much as the US fraction of the 195 kWh per and Canada. person that we typically use. Tidal Qatar is “off the scale”, with the barriers would be slightly better, highest figures per person. It is a but after allowing for inefficien- very contentious issue politically. cies, would still only be around 11 The use of energy involves kWh. At best, these systems might conversion processes and transi- support small communities, but tions; for example, chemical could never meet the needs of energy is burnt to produce heat national and global economies. energy, often in a machine as Similarly with wind, even with mechanical energy or used as exaggerated assumptions on electrical energy. At each one of numbers of wind farms, at best these transitions, there are losses they might yield just about half of energy in forms that we don’t the power currently used to run use, reducing the amount of our cars. For hydro, harnessing energy available. every drop of water in Britain would provide just seven kWh/ Consequently, for greater efficien- person. cy, the ideal would be to reduce the losses in these transitions, or A fundamental problem with indeed to minimise the number of renewable sources is that they transitions. One answer is to use have a large footprint when renewable energy, e.g. wind/solar/ compared with conventional geothermal/wave/water/biomass. power stations. For example, wind generates 2 Watts per m2 whilst a Dumfries and Galloway is well power station gives 1000 Watts placed for wind, wave and tidal per m2. As such renewable energy. With regular, strong tides initiatives have to be on a massive in the region, the latter is a scale and in combination to make reliable energy source, whereas a significant contribution, they wind is less predictable. There is tend to be subject to NIMBY (“not also a significant opportunity for in my back yard”) reactions. hydro power. But there is also much ‘hot air’ in talk about the If we look at all the options, a potential of renewable energy ‘Green Plan’ would maximise all sources. For example, if there were the renewable options, in particu- wave devices all along 750 km of lar wind and solar power in the west coast of Scotland, the deserts, whilst an ‘Economists Plan’ would focus strongly on

48 Lectures

nuclear, with renewables making a difficult to mobilise whilst so small contribution. However, the many remain highly sceptical of social current questions are: who the reality of anthropogenic chooses, and indeed is there any climate change. political drive to take action when Nevertheless, the climate changes we have so much else on our that are being anticipated are minds? unprecedented and can be Another important element is the considered as presenting signifi- transmission system for transport- cant challenges on a similar scale ing energy. Whilst there may be to the challenges associated with plans for major networks that go the Industrial Revolution. Given beyond national boundaries, that energy is going to be more political factors also come into expensive and less available, and play, making the achievement of the fact that energy is a key such networks more difficult in requirement for all our social and practice. In principle, the larger cultural development, changes the scale the better. For example, will impact on almost all of us, solar power from desert areas of and therefore will require a North Africa could provide the political coherence and consisten- energy requirements for one cy of the type we haven’t yet billion Europeans in ways that known, if we are to successfully would benefit both supplier and address these issues. Like the receiver countries. engineering achievements that Britain could create a system of brought about the Industrial energy generation that would Revolution, and contributed serve our current needs using a heavily to our current problems, combination of bio-fuels, major we need another heroic age of power stations, enhancement of engineering to engineer into the hydro and solar power from the environment in ways that are deserts. To maximise this will clever, sensitive, intelligent and require a network that operates coordinated. with maximum efficiency and Certainly, there is no going back minimal losses. However, any to the simple life with a global strong drive to create such an population of its current size. integrated solution will be

49 Review of the Session 2010-2011

The Rt Hon Lord (Chris) Patten of Barnes CH 10 November 2010 European Foreign Policy – Is it Desirable and Possible? The Royal Society of Edinburgh MacCormick European Lecture

After describing the difficult birth The EU: Where does it come of the European Union in the from? wake of the Second World War, The former prime minister of Italy, and weighing up its strengths and Giuliano Amato, once described weaknesses, as well as the UK’s the European Union (EU) as a UFO mixed feelings about its relations – he had a vague idea where it with Europe, Lord Patten said if came from but no idea where it Europe can learn the lessons from was going. Lord Patten traced the its own history, it may be able to origins of the EU by saying how devise a more effective foreign remarkable it was that it took so policy in future and play a more long for the countries of Europe constructive global role. Henry to come together in the first place, Kissinger once famously asked, “If and how that was explained by I want to call Europe, who do I the other remarkable fact that call?” And this was the question Europe had been torn apart by Lord Patten attempted to answer... three major conflicts in the Lord Patten, who is Chancellor of previous 70 years – the Franco– Oxford University, began his talk Prussian War and two World by paying tribute to the late Sir Wars. Many politicians had their Neil MacCormick, describing how ideas of Europe shaped by their he “took Oxford by storm” – not experience in war, and Patten just because he played the pointed out that the war memori- bagpipes but because he got a al in Oxford University mentions brilliant first in jurisprudence in not only UK and Commonwealth only two years, despite being half students but also the Germans an hour late for one of his final who perished. It was an “immo- exams. MacCormick had a rality,” he added, that these “genius for making friends,” young people went to Oxford to added Patten. He was one of the learn about European civilisation treasures of the University of then returned to their own Edinburgh and a jewel in the countries to slaughter each other. crown of that “curious institu- Lord Patten then described the tion” better known as the role of the United States in the European Parliament. emergence of the European

50 Lectures

Union. In 1945, Europe was ued. Some of these achievements “desperately keen” for the US to may seem “prosaic,” but the EU is stay and protect Western Europe the largest single market of from the Soviet Union, and the diverse trading states in the world, price asked by the US was a more with seven per cent of the world’s united Europe, to “share the population accounting for 22 per burden” of world leadership. The cent of its output – more than the UK was initially reluctant, however, US, twice as much as China and with Churchill saying that a more four to five times more than India. united Europe was a good idea As China increases its share of for everyone except the UK. We world exports, Europe holds on to were “non-believers” and its share better than major “patronising sceptics,” said Lord competitors. Patten, quoting Labour Foreign The EU has done very well in terms Secretary, Ernest Bevin, who said of economic success, but several that a united Europe was a major challenges face us today, “Pandora’s box – you never know including demographic changes what Trojan horses will jump and how we influence global out.” Eventually, however, Britain affairs. Our population is ageing joined, but by that time, said Lord and our economy has to evolve. Patten, the EU had a “French The EU once declared that it imprint,” and since then the would become the world’s leading media, especially the tabloids, knowledge-based economy by have been highly critical, as if the 2010 – a target now revised to EU was some kind of conspiracy to 2020. rob us of our national heritage. We face very difficult choices on The EU was no “super state” or policy matters such as pensions, “superpower,” Lord Patten etc., and one leading European continued. It would also be politician commented that “we misleading to compare the know what we have to do but not founders of the EU with the how to get re-elected if we do it.” founding fathers of the US, since In the EU, many people fear their the EU was composed of “proud quality of life will be threatened nation states prepared to share by political changes, especially if their sovereignty” – democratically our economic power is eroded. elected governments not individu- als. The EU Treaty begins with the Foreign policy: serious guide- words, “The King of the Bel- lines gians,” not “We the People,” he Some people used to believe that added. It is also remarkable what the EU was an economic giant, the EU has achieved, he contin- but a “political seven-stone

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weakling,” Lord Patten began, as but where we stand is still not very he moved on to describe the clear. issues shaping current EU foreign Is the EU Venus while the US is policy and how it may develop in Mars? If we are Venus, and the future. The need to play a hesitate to use military force, that bigger international role was may not be such a bad thing, said triggered by events such as the Lord Patten. “The rest of the collapse of the Soviet Union and world paid a high price when the “dismemberment” of Yugo- Europe was Mars.” We used to slavia, when Europe “stood on worry Germany spent too much the sidelines while 200,000 on defence – now we worry it is Bosnians were slaughtered,” and not spending enough. ethnic cleansing reared its ugly head again, despite all our Lord Patten then described the pledges. Nation states may be the major issues facing the EU today, building blocks of the Union, he including dialogue with China added, but we’ve found it hard to and relations with Russia. He said resist the forces around us. “The that it must be confusing for UK doesn’t manage very well on China to speak to the EU one day its own,” but despite our “special then the next day meet the relationship” with the US, it’s representatives of several individu- better for the US for the UK to be al states with individual policies. in the heart of Europe. Russia has used energy as a “weapon” to extend its sphere of Is it possible to have a common influence, he added, and rather security policy? Kissinger may have than developing a single energy wondered whom he should call, policy for the EU, we have but now we have a President “dragged our feet” and several (Herman Van Rumpoy) and a European states have signed foreign policy chief (Baroness individual agreements with Ashton). But we also have 27 Russia. We have “no coherent prime ministers and 27 foreign policy” on Russia, he added, and ministers, which may explain the in order to develop some “serious weaknesses of EU foreign policy guidelines” for foreign policy, until now. The challenge is to there are lessons to learn from our reach decisions quickly and recent experience – as well as our develop political will – not just history. build institutions, said Lord Patten. “The EU is good at The EU has been successful in communiques,” he said, “but not some spheres, he said, including very good at action.” For example, “regime change” in Greece, Spain the EU issued 22 statements on and Portugal in the sense that we the Middle East in the last year, encouraged democratic elections

52 Lectures

as one of the conditions of We should rein in our rhetoric, joining – a role we have continued Lord Patten said, and focus on with the former member states of what we are actually going to do the Soviet Union. “Peaceful and are able to do. European dismantling” of the Soviet Union countries spend £200 billion on was not a given, he added, and defence, but the money is not today we are playing a similar role wisely spent. The EU needs to in the Balkans. understand that we can’t “matter Turkey’s membership of the EU everywhere” like the US, and may become a victim of “enlarge- should focus on playing a a ment fatigue,” he continued, bigger role in areas such as Africa. despite what it offers as an energy We should not make extravagant hub, a security player (as a claims about what we’ve achieved member of NATO), and its role as or could achieve in future, but we a secular state with a large Islamic can provide an EU dimension, by population, acting as a bridge learning from our own past between Europe and the Middle experience. “I do believe, Lord East. If we deny Turkey member- Patten concluded, “that we can ship, Lord Patten stated, it would develop a more effective foreign be hard for us to be taken policy, but I’m not holding my seriously on the world stage. breath.” At various times, Europe has Questions and Answers either defined its foreign policy in Q: What advice for the Prime contradistinction to the US or Minister on his current visit to acceded to US demands, but we China? should be much clearer about our A: It is significant that David own interests, Lord Patten Cameron visited India first, said continued – e.g. when it comes to Lord Patten, since there is a Iran and the problem of nuclear “qualitative difference” in our proliferation, we should think in relations with China and India. terms of the impact on us, as well Even though India has a very as on others. We are Israel’s similar value system to the UK, we biggest trading partner at the should also seek a more positive same time as providing aid to relationship with China and be Palestine, but we have “simply more realistic about its role as a settled for the job of holding world leader. We are not witness- America’s coat,” he said. Support- ing the sudden “rise” of China, ing US policy is all very well, but he added. China has been the isn’t such a good idea when when world’s greatest economic power the US is “doing nothing or for 18 out of the last 20 centuries, getting nowhere.” and in the 21st Century, will again

53 Review of the Session 2010-2011

be a dominant force; even though humility would seem to be in by 2040, India will be the nation order, he added. with the largest and the youngest Q: What about the ‘elephant in population. There are reasons to the room’ – the euro? be nervous about China’s rela- A: The challenge is how to sustain tions with the US and its a single currency that benefits neighbours, and how it manages some but not others, Lord Patten political change, but we should replied. Germany may have borne still want China to succeed, not a lot of the burden and exerted fall apart. We may also be keen to fiscal discipline while some other close the export gap with China, countries pursued their self- now standing at £18 billion a interest, but Germany has also year, but recent trade promotion benefited from the euro. The efforts will not have a serious reunification of Germany was impact, at least in the short term, dependent on losing the despite the talented business deutsche-mark, but if the German people visiting China this week. people had been asked to decide China will always seek the best in a referendum, they would never deal. There is no sentiment have agreed. The euro was involved in seeking economic designed to close the gap be- progress. But Lord Patten hoped tween different economies, relations with China would including labour costs, but some continue to improve, noting that nations feasted on low interest his own university has more than rates, then asked Germany to bail 700 Chinese students, including a them out when things went third of all the mathematicians at wrong. Germany, however, sells Oxford. We should hope China more to its partners in Europe spends more on imports and than to China, and its exports are hope its currency rises in value, cheaper because of the euro; it while its political model improves, had to accept that these benefits but “one visit is not enough,” he came at a cost. The euro zone may concluded. be a triumph of politics over Q: What about the policies of economics, but there is still a lot France and Germany concerning of passionate support for the euro the “Roma” people? amongst countries such as Spain, A: Europe talks a lot about despite the fact there can be exporting its values, Lord Patten attractions to devaluing your own began, but what do we really currency when times are hard. mean? “We would be taken more seriously if we were less hypocriti- Q: How can NATO and the EU cal and more consistent in pursuit work together to counter the of our principles.” A little more terrorist threat?

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EU states don’t spend wisely on budget and professional staffing. defence or co-operate enough. There may be a case for an EU The big issue is that the greatest diplomatic service, but how would threats don’t come from strong we use it? Lord Patten hoped but from weak and failing states, Baroness Ashton would get including Somalia, Yemen and tougher on budgetary issues, Afghanistan and, in the future, since it may not be wise for the EU maybe even Mexico. Problems to spend more at a time when with countries such as the Congo individual states are tightening and Zimbabwe cannot be “ghet- their belts. toised,” he continued, by building Q: You seem to be in favour of a wall around them, and drugs Turkey becoming a member, but and AIDS also pose serious threats how would we deal with immigra- to our welfare – “90 per cent of tion from Turkey, bearing in mind the heroin injected in Edinburgh how much we underestimated tonight came from Afghanistan.” emigration from Poland? Q: What advice does he have on A: We may have underestimated the teaching of languages, Polish migration, but we have including Chinese? done very well from it, Lord Patten A: Before the 1930s, said Lord said. If Turkey joins, we should not Patten, French and German were assume there would be free not taught at Oxford because the movement of labour, but some students were expected to know countries (e.g. Italy) need more them anyway. The UK’s decline in economically active people. The languages is “a disaster,” he said. situation changes all the time, and “There is too much emphasis on Turkey will accept limits. In fact, easy subjects.” Politicians could we need Turkey to join the EU reverse this trend, “not just for now more than Turkey wants to utilitarian reasons but also be a member. “We must discuss because it’s an important disci- migration in a grown-up way,” he pline which teaches us about concluded. Immigration caps other civilisations.” We should could cause huge problems, but it also encourage more people to is reasonable to talk about the move into teaching. History and issues and try to address them. geography also appear to have There will be social tensions and been “sidelined,” he added. economic problems ahead, but we Q: Should the EU have its own have to discuss how to put some diplomatic service? limit on immigration to Britain. A: There are questions about the recent setting up of Europe’s “Action Service,” most concerning

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Professor Sir John Lawton CBE FRS 11 November 2010 Climate change: A process not an event Facing up to Climate Change Lecture, Aberdeen

One of the first victims of a “now overwhelming,” and it’s change in Britain’s economic vital to look at the scale of its climate will be the Royal Commis- impacts, said Lawton. We may not sion on Environmental Pollution be able to stop it but we need to (RCEP), which will cease to exist on decide what to do when it March 31 next year. The Commis- happens, at both local and sion’s penultimate report on national levels. “Adapting to Climate Change” Lawton started by describing the (published in March 2010) came scale of the problem. Global with a warning – we are making temperatures are expected to rise slow progress but urgently need by about four degrees centigrade to do more... by 2100 – about the same as the The cover of Adapting UK Institu- increase from the Ice Age till now. tions to Climate Change features The result for the UK will be snakes and ladders, to symbolise warmer, drier summers and the threats and opportunities that warmer, wetter winters, leading to climate change presents to UK various problems including institutions – including statutory droughts, floods and coastal bodies, institutions of governance erosion. The emphasis until now and industry organisations (e.g. has been on mitigation, but the NHS, schools and utility Lawton said that even if we do companies). Sir John Lawton, reduce our greenhouse gas Chair of the RCEP, said there is an emissions, we still need to adapt “urgent need” to understand the to the long-term effects of historic issues involved in adapting to emissions. climate change. The report did not What is adaptation? It means focus on how to mitigate climate reducing our exposure to the risk change or on global issues, but of future damage, developing our on whether UK institutions are capacity to cope with unavoidable “fit for purpose” in how they damage, and taking advantage of respond. Although there may be the opportunities – e.g. in some degree of uncertainty, which industry and agriculture. Water makes adaptation more difficult, management will be a major the evidence of climate change is issue, to maintain water quality as

56 Lectures

well as supplies. It will be impossi- “what we have always done”), ble to maintain the status quo for equity (different impacts on biodiversity and nature conserva- different places and how to work tion (e.g. salt marshes and bird out fair compensation), efficiency sanctuaries) because of different and how to build capacity. To geographical effects. “If there is address these different challeng- climate change,” said Lawton, es, the RCEP report makes several “areas of nature conservation will recommendations, with the focus simply be in the wrong place.” on”framing, implementing and Lawton then outlined a few of the learning.” First, it’s important to problems. Adaptation, he said, is a ask the right questions. “It’s easy continuous process – a series of to ask the wrong questions and difficult actions. Local impacts vary solve the wrong problems,” said and therefore we also need local Lawton. “Short termism” can also solutions. There is no end point – be a problem, and organisations there is not one single thing we should think about how climate can do. It is hard to make predic- change may impact their corpo- tions, and there is a lot of rate mission. We need to do the uncertainty about the magnitude key things and upscale local of climate change and local initiatives. We need to engage impacts. There are complex public support, coordinate the institutional arrangements – too different agencies involved and many uncoordinated, overlapping allocate resources. “Adaptation organisations involved, e.g. dealing will cost money,” said Lawton, with coastal erosion. We need a “but the sooner we act and the “step change” in approach sooner we put things in place, the because traditional methods will sooner we will save money.” simply not work. We need to build Learning is also essential, to our adaptive capacity. And al- generate and share information, though he welcomed progress on and we should be careful not to some fronts, Lawton said more lose “strategic memory” – the urgent action is needed. We also expertise we already have. need to cut through the complexi- It is important to integrate ty: “It’s committee spaghetti gone adaptation to climate change into mad.” By contrast, said Lawton, all decision making, public and the insurance industry is way ahead private, to reduce the exposure to and “really understands” what risk and develop the capacity to climate change will mean. cope – e.g. don’t build new The challenges for institutions are houses on flood plains. One uncertainty, complexity, path project singled out by Lawton as a dependency (an over-reliance on model example was Thames Estuary 2100. This initiative has

57 Review of the Session 2010-2011

long-term vision, he said. It is more difficult or impossible to flexible and sees its task as a adapt? process, not a single event, 8. identify barriers and stake- bringing together a number of holders bodies to act in a coordinated way. 9. establish mechanisms to respond to alternative views Public bodies have a duty to adapt to climate change, said Lawton, 10. planning and investment “But many institutions are not cycles – make allowances for close to realising how complex new information and nebulous it is.” There are also 24 recommenda- There may be no blueprint for all tions, including policy framework, institutions, and geographic specific institutional arrange- differences are also a factor, but to ments, resources needed to build help address the issues, the RCEP capacity, equity and public has drawn up a list of ten points – engagement. For example, we an “adaptation test” for UK need better land-use planning, institutions: and organisations should review their missions and objectives 1. identify the range of impacts “from an adaptation perspective.” on activities and responsibili- Lawton fears that local authorities ties (some may be affected may ignore the issues because of more than others) short-term budget constraints, so 2. understand the nature and resources must be freed up to limitations of climate projec- ensure we can cope – e.g. we tions (uncertainty) must continue to fund important 3. recognise it is an open-ended organisations such as the Met process not one single action Office. 4. frame the questions correctly Equity is one of the most complex and identify risks issues, because the costs of climate change are so uneven 5. identify options and devise socially, temporally and geograph- flexible plans/strategies ically. Flooding and coastal 6. embed adaptation into the erosion affect different places at organisation and make senior different times, but how do we people accountable compensate the parties involved and take account of the effects on 7. is the institution fit for the community? Lawton admitted purpose, aware of its powers that even the RCEP found it hard and duties, and are there to agree about this, and that is actions that would make it why public engagement is vital.

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“People don’t like change,” he greater in the long term if we said, so we have to engage them, don’t. There has been some frame the issues right and gather progress, but we need a step public feedback to inform deci- change in initiatives at the same sion making. time as embedding adaptation Adapting to climate change is throughout institutions. difficult and full of complexities, So far, he added, the Government Lawton concluded, but we can’t has not responded to the RCEP afford not to take action now, report since it was published. because the costs will be much

59 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Professor Julia Smith 15 November 2010 Portable Christianity: Relics in the Medieval West (c700 –1200) The 2010 British Academy Raleigh Lecture British Academy Medieval Week

Medieval Christians treasured tiny The second part of the lecture objects culled from biblical holy asked how these paltry items places and saints’ shrines. Using came to be highly valued for both previously neglected evidence of social and religious reasons. By the contents of medieval reliquar- mapping the networks through ies and ecclesiastical treasure which relics circulated, it identified collections from western Christen- the multiplicity of contexts which dom, the first part of this lecture gave relics social meaning and brought historical specificity to enabled them to be widely the generic terms “relics” by collected: as heirlooms, tokens of exploring what they actually political affiliation, gifts, personal comprised and how they were mementos, and much more. conceptualised by those who Juxtaposing these social meanings garnered and collected them. This with their religious meanings opened up for inspection the proposes a new approach to the jewelled reliquaries, silk purses social practices of medieval and ivory caskets in which relics Christianity in Western Europe. were stored and reveal relic material characteristics as minus- cule objects of no intrinsic material value.

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Professor Gruffydd Aled Williams 16 November 2010 More than “Skimble-Skamble” Stuff : The Medieval Welsh Poetry Associated with Owain Glyndyr The 2010 Sir John Rhys Memorial Lecture British Academy Medieval Week

In Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, the 1400 revolt. The poems were Hotspur is made to refer to the examined in historical context, partiality of Owain Glyndwr including some of Scottish (Glendower) for prophecies, which interest (alluding to Glyndwr’s he characterises dismissively as participation in the English ‘skimble-skamble stuff’. This invasion of Scotland in lecture explored the authentic 1385).Themes considered include medieval Welsh literary corpus their possible utility, both before associated with Glyndwr, consist- and during the revolt, as political ing in the main of bardic eulogies propaganda designed to further rather than prophecies and mostly Owain’s cause. composed before the outbreak of Dr Ad Putter 17 November 2010 Personifications of Old Age in Medieval Poetry The 2010 Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture British Academy Medieval Week Medieval poets were fond of gradual process objectively, but personification allegory for writers from all periods confirm reasons that modern readers do the subjective experience that not always find easy to appreciate. medieval allegories bring to life, This lecture explored some of the i.e. psychologically, the awareness advantages of the allegorical that we have aged takes us by mode by focusing on personifica- surprise. These personifications of tions of old age in some of the old age are also sensitive to the finest medieval English and French social dimension of ageing, to its poets: John Gower, Geoffrey indignities and humiliations. By Chaucer, William Langland and imagining old age as a person Charles d’Orléans. with whom we have to interact Each poet in his own way shows socially, medieval poets were able why old age is suited to personifi- to capture the bewilderments and cation. Growing old may be a embarrassments of the ageing process.

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Professor Alexander Brodie FRSE 18 November 2010 The Past as Propaganda in the Declaration of Arbroath British Academy Medieval Week

The Declaration of Arbroath behest, by St Andrew, and it (1320), the most famous docu- compares Robert the Bruce to ment in Scottish history, is a letter Joshua and Judas Maccabeus. It to Pope John XXII that maps out was argued that, aside from the Scotland’s history, and uses that fantasy, there is also a powerful history as propaganda on behalf and persuasive intellectual of a request about the Scottish underpinning to the Declaration, throne. The largely fanciful history one closely associated with presents the Scots as a chosen Scotland’s greatest medieval people, protected, at Jesus’ thinker, John Duns Scotus.

Professor Robert Hillenbrand FBA FRSE 18 November 2010. The Past as Propaganda: The Mongol “World History” British Academy Medieval Week

The fragmentary copy of Rashid Christian, Jewish, Muslim, al-Din’s World History held in the Buddhist and shamanistic ele- ’s Library is ments that aptly reflect the largest of extreme rarity, huge size, lavish continuous land empire in world illustration and very early date history. The manuscript’s pictorial (1314). It is perhaps the world’s and textual cycles of Biblical most valuable illustrated Islamic figures, the Prophet Muhammad manuscript. This lecture explored and the mythical past of Greece, its art-historical significance, Arabia and Iran break new highlighting its multi-racial and ground, while its propagandist multi-confessional flavour, with intent finds expression in courtly and battle scenes galore.

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Allan Little 10 December 2010 Reporting the World in an Age of Conflict Christmas Lecture 2010 – Stranraer Academy, Stranraer Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

How is power distributed in our come alive to the public through world today? What are the the telling of his own life stories. principal challenges to the liberal Much of this lecture report, democratic, market economy therefore, has been left ‘in Allan’s models that have shaped our own own words’ – after all, they are his societies, in the modern era? How stories and he tells them best….. has the rise of anti-western “I heard the blast of the first sentiment in volatile parts of the explosion and wished it away, world compromised our ability to wanting to believe that it was the report that world? How has sound of something heavy and changing technology altered the metallic dropped from a height by way the news is brought to you? a construction worker. But the Is journalism, as we understand it, unmistakable dug-a-dug-a-dug of still a going concern? From the machine gun fire left no more collapse of European Commu- room for wishful thinking and nism, to the deserts of soon the air of central Kabul rang Afghanistan and Iraq, Allan Little with noise of the fight. It is quite a has been reporting the changing moment, this sudden descent into shape of our world for the last violence. Once it starts, it seems two decades and more, from “a carried by an unstoppable seat in the front row of history”. momentum. You want it to be During his Christmas lecture at amenable to reason. Your pulse Stranraer Academy, where he quickens. Your stomach lurches. spent his school years, Allan Suddenly you are on heightened Little’s colourful and entertaining alert. telling of his reporting experienc- “As the chaos was unleashed es brought scenes that many of us outside we headed for the view somewhat remotely on our basement, down the winding television sets vividly to life – and stairwell where we met, on their clearly demonstrated how journal- way up, Afghan National Police- ism has changed over the last 30 men, flak-jacketed and heavily years. Journalists tell stories and armed. They took up gun posi- Allan Little possesses the aston- tions on the roof, firing volley ishing genius of making the world after volley into neighbouring

63 Review of the Session 2010-2011

buildings. We followed what was the building was on fire. The happened by listening. Violence Taliban fighters were then to die, moved in an arc around us, as they must have known they engulfing what was supposed to would, amid the flames, all but be the fortified heart of the one shot down. The last man alive Afghan capital. You could taste on blew himself up.” Maintaining or your tongue and in your throat gaining positive public opinion is the acrid gunpowder burn of as vital to the Taliban as ‘winning spent rifle rounds. Soon, four hearts and minds’ is to the NATO Afghan police came down into Forces – both believing that public the basement carrying one of their relations management is as crucial comrades, gravely wounded or, as the co-ordination of the attack more probably, dead. Two held itself. Both are “engaged in a him by his arms and two by his battle not just for power and legs. They carried him past me, territory but for the trust, of the perhaps three feet away and I Afghan people. Political leaders looked into his motionless face, know that if you want to take a streaked with blood, his still, democracy to war you have to take glassy eyes. They took him to a public opinion with you and you separate room. The hotel staff have to keep it with you. There is began to ask whether there was a no doubt that the Taliban know doctor among us. There wasn’t. this too.” From our listening post it seemed Allan Little continued by describ- the city centre had exploded in an ing the way conflict and access to orgy of violence, grotesque, conflict has changed. “My first indiscriminate, chaotic.” sustained encounter with war and However, Allan Little drew to our the reporting of it was the first attention to the fact that this Gulf War. I was thirty years old seemingly chaotic violence is and just beginning to establish anything but; it is in reality highly myself as a BBC network report- organised and coordinated, with er.” Allan described his feelings at targets clearly identified and being asked to go to report from allocated to attackers – almost Iraq as both terrified and thrilled with military precision. Neither is it at the same time. “Thrilled indiscriminate; with, on this because I was heading into the occasion, very few casualties. “If biggest most urgent story of the their intention had been to kill as day, terrified because I didn’t really many people as possible, it would know whether I was up to it. All have been easy. But they didn’t. decent reporters live with the They ordered everyone – shoppers constant fear that they’ve been and shopkeepers alike – out. Soon getting away with it all these years

64 Lectures

and that this time they’ll be found thought of journalism as a out. And terrified too because I guiding light. If people were told didn’t know whether, in the event the truth, if dishonour and of war breaking out while I was in injustice were clearly shown to the enemy capital, I would survive them, they would at once demand it. the saving action, punishment of “One day, about three weeks into wrong-doers, and care for the the war, I came back to the BBC innocent. How people were to office in the Intercontinental accomplish these reforms, I did Hotel, Amman, and there was a not know. That was their job. A red light on the phone. It was, at journalist’s job was to bring news, last, my visa. I went to the embas- to be eyes for their conscience. I sy at 7 pm as instructed. They think I must have imagined public stamped my passport, and those opinion as a solid force, some- of two colleagues – my BBC thing like a tornado, always ready colleague Jeremy Bowen and his to blow on the side of the angels. cameraman Rory Peck. Jeremy and Did Allan Little think of public I would, in the years ahead, opinion as a solid force? Maybe. become great friends. Rory would He described the first time he be killed two years later in the realised ‘why’ he does this job failed anti-Yeltsin coup in Mos- when, upon meeting a colleague cow. We would leave Amman at who was also preparing to leave midnight and cross the Iraqi for Baghdad, he was asked, Why border at dawn. We would drive are you doing it? “I didn’t know up what was known as Scud Alley the answer until I heard myself say – a road through the desert it out loud. Because it’s what I hundreds of miles long that was trained for. It’s why I came this far. under daily aerial bombardment, And because if I don’t I will never only to get to a city that was, forgive myself. I will have chosen a itself, gradually being dismantled safe and cosseted life and I will by repeated daily air assaults. For spend the rest of it regretting that the first time I asked myself that when I was tested I didn’t go. And most searching of questions. so off we went that night, Why? Why are you going to risk crossing the border at dawn, not your life to do this?” speaking but sitting in silence as Martha Gellhorn was one of the we drove wide-eyed into the heart greatest of the twentieth century of the enemy citadel. Once we war reporters. In a book written in started working there we soon 1959, she stated, When I was had to ask ourselves another young, I believed in the perfecti- important and searching ques- bility of man and in progress, and tion: is there a conflict between

65 Review of the Session 2010-2011

my responsibility as a journalist down argument; to suppress and my obligations as a British knowledge that contradicts or citizen? Some of the British contaminates with uncertainty or newspapers denounced us for doubt the prevailing narrative. giving succour to the enemy; for “And the prevailing narrative of allowing ourselves to become the 1991 war was one of smart mouthpieces of the Iraqi regime. bombs that could identify only One morning allied aircraft fired military targets, make their way bunker-busting missiles into a down Saddoun Street, turn left at building that was thought to be a the traffic lights and make military command bunker. It was possible a war waged from fifteen in fact an air raid shelter. Hun- thousand feet in which civilians dreds of people – almost all of would not have to die.” Within them women and children – were hours BBC colleagues in the UK sleeping in there. Almost all of were challenging him and his them died instantly. Soon I was on reporting, asking who was the air reporting what I had seen. controlling what I said? Is there an The Iraqi authorities were claiming Iraqi minder sitting there with that between 700 and 1100 you? Is he telling you what to say? people had been killed. We went Is he stopping you saying other to a nearby hospital where some things? Whose word was I taking? of the bodies had been laid out The purest and most decent of the on the forecourt. I counted forty journalism that we do is eye- or fifty. Some of them were witness journalism. children three, four, five years old, So I went to the morgue and I still lying curled on their sides as counted the bodies, one by one. I though they had died instantly in got to three hundred and eleven their sleep. In Baghdad we had no before giving up. Did that report- idea about the political storm our ing damage the war effort? reporting had unleashed at Would it have been better if news home”. of that bombing had not been Some of the British newspapers made public? Or better if the only had turned on the reporters, journalists there to witness it had saying the BBC stood for Baghdad been Iraqi reporters totally Broadcasting Corporation. Some beholden to a regime they feared? backbench MPs began to argue I don’t think so. I am, almost for legislation that would crimi- always, on the side of the public nalise what they were doing. Allan knowing, verifiably, reliably, what noted that is was his first direct has happened. It is in the end the experience of how an appeal to only defence against mythmak- patriotism can be used to close ing.”

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Allan Little then invited the with them, interviewed them for audience to go forward with him television. One man told me, in in time a few years to late 1992 in fluent English, that the United Bosnia. War at this time “unfold- States of America is the enemy of ed before your camera lens. It was Islam, it is written so in the Holy hard and dangerous but it was Koran. (The Koran was in fact accessible. All those days, all those written in the seventh century, years, all those reports, the more than a thousand years endless radio despatches, the before the United States was impassioned and graphic televi- founded.) I said in my report for sion packages that we put out that night’s news on BBC 1: The during the four years of that war explosion has ignited an anti- and to what end? None of the American fury. Within hours that reporting we did changed fury was organised. It hasn’t taken anything a jot. The injustice, the long for this to turn into a dishonour, were not overturned. demonstration of rage against the Public opinion did not blow on Americans. ... today, nothing the the side of the angels. It didn’t Americans can say will be heard really blow at all. I found it harder amid the din – the organised and and harder to say to my Bosnian carefully marshalled chorus – of friends, who wanted only the anti-American sentiment. But still freedoms that we enjoy, that the we filmed. thing about freedom, as we Still they let us film. This happy practise it, is that it includes the state of freedom was not to last freedom not really to care about long.” In 2003 Allan went to injustice and dishonour.” Kuwait to try to cover this second “One day, an American arms Gulf War as an independent, dump exploded in a residential nonembedded reporter. “As the suburb. Nearby houses that had invasion began, braver souls than withstood weeks of allied bom- me headed north, unembedded, bardment were obliterated. under their own steam. I stood in Families were wiped out. But what the lobby of an international was striking was how quickly hotel, just after dark, on the first public anger was channelled. or second day of the invasion. A Within an hour there was a US Army major was talking spontaneous demonstration of urgently into a mobile phone to a Iraqis – hundreds, perhaps journalist who had got lost in thousands, strong – already with southern Iraq. These voices you printed placards and leaflets can hear the major was saying, are blaming the Americans for they English or Arabic? Arabic. I deliberately endangering the lives see. Then lie flat on the ground. of Iraqis. I went along. I marched Do not move. Switch off your

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mobile phone because if it rings it British-Irish aid worker Margaret will give away your position. Stay Hassan and many others turned there all night. When you hear this phenomenon into an ever- American forces arrive, wave present danger.” something white and put up your In 2004, two French journalists hands. Now, is there any message were kidnapped while driving you would like me to pass on to from Baghdad to the southern your next of kin while you still Iraqi city of Najaf and held for can? That same day we heard more than four months. On their news that an ITN crew had gone release, they gave a remarkable north with the invasion forces, insight into the organised and unembedded, and was now disciplined nature of their captors’ missing. The correspondent was a thinking. They were told that friend of mine, Terry Lloyd, whom there were four categories of I’d come to know in Bosnia a people who, when captured, decade earlier. I’d run into him a deserved execution. These were: day or two earlier, we promised to foreign combatants; anyone stay in touch and swap notes. He working for the occupying, or was killed the next day as he tried coalition, forces; anyone carrying to make his way to Basra, killed in the passport of one of the pursuit of being first in to a occupying, or coalition, countries; liberated city.” and spies. This continuing “And so the portents were there situation has required internation- for us to read. By 2004 they were al news organisations to invest in unmistakable. The kidnap, in providing security for their Pakistan, of the American reporter reporters. “It has placed a screen Daniel Pearle was an early indica- of security between us and those tion of how utterly changed the whose stories we need to hear. world was for independent What is life like in those great reporting. Pearle was beheaded in swathes of Afghanistan that are front of a video camera and the controlled by the Taliban? We can pictures were posted on the only know a small part of the internet. A new phenomenon was picture. We can listen to the born – that of the “exhibition stories of those who flee to killing”. It created a market in government-controlled territory. western lives, a way for Islamist But we can no longer get in our and other anti-western or insur- cars in Kabul and drive unmolest- gent groups to advertise their ed into the countryside to see for own radicalism and attract a ourselves. The world is now very global community of support. In hard indeed for the kind of Iraq, the murders of the British independent, free-roaming contractor Kenneth Bigley and the eyewitness journalism we used to

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pursue with such vigour and such had to be carefully programmed commitment.” each time you used them. There “There is a pessimism among my was – crucially – no twenty-four- older colleagues who lament the hour rolling news culture. When I passing of the old freedoms. reported the Amariyah shelter Patrick Cockburn is one of the bombing that morning in Febru- most experienced and perceptive ary 1991, I had time to gather, to and wise members of the tribe. interview eye witnesses and The Iraq conflict is the great crisis survivors, to listen carefully to of our era, but television has their accounts, to make an found it impossible to cover it assessment about what tallied properly... watching Tony Blair and what didn’t, to challenge, to claim progress in Iraq as he ask for corroborating detail. And announced a partial withdrawal then I had half an hour in the car last week, I was struck for the to order my thoughts and make hundredth time by the favour sense of it. Then I wrote it down done to him and President as coherently as I could, and only George Bush by the Iraqi insur- then did I lift the phone to make gents and militias. By killing and my broadcast. Now, that would kidnapping journalists – and thus not be acceptable. Now I would making so much of Iraq a media- be expected to go live immediately free zone – they have ensured that – and almost certainly not from the White House and Downing the hotel but from the scene. It Street can say what they like and imposes different challenges. get away with it. Blair spoke of Twenty and more years ago the British achievements in security shape of the world was easy to and economic development in grasp. It was divided between east Basra, but there were almost no and west. In 1989, that ended. For journalists on the ground to a few years, it became fashionable the truth of this. To me the to believe that liberal democracy changes that had taken place in had won the great battle for the our industry in the twelve years loyalty of the entire human race. between the first Gulf War in We have learned in the two 1991 and the second in 2003 decades since then that that is not were now starkly evident and so; that liberal democracy as a alarming”. system under which to live is still largely confined to the countries “In 1991 there was no internet. in which it is properly entrenched. No mobile phones. The satellite Communism no longer offers a phones we were using were in challenge to liberal democracy. their infancy – they were enor- But other challenges have mous, took two men to lift and emerged.” Other parts of the

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world, including China and disoriented, disconnected. Kabul Russia, now offer the human race is three hours from Dubai and a real, dynamic, powerful alterna- million miles away. Soldiers and tives to democratic ways of living. war reporters talk a lot about this Allan Little returned to Martha sense of disconnection when they Gellhorn’s philosophies. “Why, come home. This too is something when she had lost her youthful they share. They know what it is to delusion that journalism could walk through a London park change things, that honest instinctively sticking to the hard reporting could expose and then surfaces for fear that there might correct injustice and dishonour, be land mines in the grass; or to did she keep on doing it? Why did walk along Oxford Street scanning she go on putting herself in the windows and the roof tops harm’s way to try to find out above the shops for snipers. The something of the truth of what is brilliant American newspaper going on in the world? This is reporter Dexter Filkins described what she said in the end: I now the sense of dislocation he felt think that the act of keeping the when he got home after a decade record straight is valuable in itself. of reporting Iraq and Afghanistan Serious, careful, honest journalism like this: is essential, not because it is a People asked me about the war, of guiding light but because it is a course. They asked me whether it form of honourable behaviour, was as bad as people said. “Oh involving the reporter and the definitely” I told them, and then, reader. “Years ago, you returned usually, I stopped. In the begin- from war slowly, by ship or long- ning I’d go on a little longer, tell drawn-out journeys overland. You them a story or two, and I could had time to adjust, to decom- see their eyes go after a couple of press. Now it is all much quicker. sentences. We drew closer to each One month ago tonight I was other, the hacks and the vets and standing in a smart cocktail bar in the diplomats, anyone who’d a swanky media hotel in Dubai, been over there. My friend surrounded by bright vertiginous George, an American reporter I’d shining modernity. Thirty six hours gotten to know in Iraq, told me he earlier I had been in a basement in couldn’t have a conversation with Kabul listening to men blow anyone about Iraq who hadn’t themselves up, knowingly going been there. I told him I couldn’t to their own deaths in order to have a conversation with anyone show the world what they were who hadn’t been there about capable of. And then, suddenly I anything at all. This too we am beamed down into another share.” reality. I felt like a time traveller,

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Professor Bruce J. Katz Wednesday 15 December 2010 The Next Economy Part of the Edinburgh Lecture Series: Talking Cities

Bruce Katz loves cities and, in what type of future economy particular, loves their energy levels. should be built? Revealing that he last visited First, the United States must shape Edinburgh 30 years ago as a a “next economy” that is driven student, he said he was instantly by exports, powered by low taken by the vibrant buzz, likening carbon, fuelled by innovation, and it to the streets of Manhattan. It is rich with opportunity. This is a that energy, he said, that will be vision where America exports the platform for the “next more and wastes less, innovates in economy” as the world’s metro- what matters, produces and politan areas grow in the short deploys more of what it invents, term and “retread” for the long and ensures that the economy haul. actually works for working There can be no return to the families. previous world economic order. In Secondly, the next economy will the United States, 8.4 million jobs largely be metropolitan. America’s were lost during the recession, economy is no longer driven by which began in December of small towns but, rather, it is the 2007. Nearly one out of every ten large metropolitan areas (metros) Americans remains unemployed, that will deliver the next economy. and three out of four people in The major US metros already the United States have either lost generate more than three- their jobs or are close to someone quarters of the country’s gross who has. For the past several domestic product. decades, America had an economy which elevated consumption over Finally, the next economy will be production and financial chicanery built by unleashing the entrepre- over real innovation. The result neurial energies of America’s was the largest recession since the metropolitan engines. This will Great Depression. require metros to exploit their unique advantages, and the state There will not, and should not, be and federal governments to align a return to this type of economy. their resources to metro priorities. Therefore, the question arises:

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In order to build the next econo- double exports in the next five my, American exporters must years is exactly the kind of ambi- better engage with the world. tious, far-reaching goal America More firms in more sectors must needs at this moment to help the increase trade with other nations, United States remain competitive especially with those that are in the global economy. rapidly urbanising and industrial- As with exports, low carbon is ising. This is an economic another feature of the next imperative for the United States, American economy. The US should given that Brazil, India and China be the vanguard of the clean, were expected to account for green revolution. This means the about a fifth of global GDP in US must invest in smarter, faster 2010, surpassing the US for the and more technologically- first time. advanced infrastructure systems, The rise of the BICs (Brazil, India and design more sustainable and and China) reflects the rise of efficient homes and offices. Other metros. For the first time in nations, including China, Brazil recorded history, more than half and Germany, have embraced the of the world’s population lives in green economy, and are creating cities and metropolitan areas. By markets, growing jobs and 2030, the metro share will pass stimulating investment. China 60 per cent. However, the top 30 continues to outpace the US metropolitan performers today are through significant investments in almost exclusively located in Asia renewable energy, high speed rail, and Latin America, while the 30 and a host of other sustainable worst performers are nearly all products. located in Europe and the US. It is The United States, however, is these rising nations and their certainly capable of competing in rapidly growing metros that will the low carbon revolution. power the world economy in the Brookings research has identified twenty-first Century, and the US a strong base of more than two must take advantage of this million green jobs, in sectors increasing global demand. ranging from renewable energy to Despite an infrastructure that is pollution reduction. America also third class – which hampers US has significant advantages in export potential – the US main- domestic demand, advanced tains a trade surplus in services research, venture capital and and still manufactures a range of entrepreneurial dynamism. It is advanced goods that are in high now time for the US fully to demand throughout the world. engage the shift to low carbon. President Obama’s challenge to

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Another crucial hallmark of the matter of social equity. It is “next economy” is innovation. fundamentally an issue of nation- The US must strive to be the al competitiveness and national world’s Innovation Nation, a security. hothouse of invention and a This next economy will largely be platform for production. The next led by America’s metropolitan decade has the potential to areas. Even now, there is no single produce new technologies that national economy in the US, but a have the power to transform network of powerful metropolitan economies, create jobs and economies. The top 100 metro change the way we live our lives. areas dominate trade in goods In order to spur these types of and services, concentrate critical innovations, the United States sectors of the low carbon econo- must focus on science and my, produce the bulk of our technology, through greater patents and research funding, and investments in education and serve as our transportation and research and development. logistical hubs. Currently, the US ranks 45th out Therefore, the next American of 93 countries in the share of economy will be built by unleash- Bachelor degrees in science and ing the entrepreneurial energies engineering, and has gone from a of its metro engines. In an ideal trade surplus to a deficit in world, the federal government advances in technology products would assist metros by embracing over the past decade. In the trade, pricing carbon, investing future, America will not sustaina- more in R&D and infrastructure, bly grow if it does not innovate and overhauling immigration. and produce more goods and Unfortunately, Washington is services. broken and the states are broke, Finally, the next economy must be so the “next economy” is going rich with opportunity. The US to have to be built the hard way, needs to get smart – fast. African through a “pragmatic caucus” of Americans and Hispanics currently public, business, and non-profit comprise about 25 percent of the state and metropolitan leaders population – soon to rise to 40 who spur economic recovery and per cent – yet the educational renewal despite political odds and attainment of these groups is fiscal obstacles. Make no mistake, significantly lower compared to the stakes are high, because other that of whites and Asians. In the nations are moving with delibera- years ahead, upgrading the tion and discipline to exploit the education and skills of America’s full potential of their metro workforce is no longer just a engines.

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The Brookings Institution has state of Ohio did in 2010, where been working with metropolitan voters approved a $700 million areas in the US to explore how to bond issue to extend the state’s exploit their unique competitive Their Frontier Fund that invests in advantages. There are various technology and energy start-up models of economic renewal companies. around the world; for instance, The US government should also Turin has transformed itself into a use its broad resources to assist design hub and Barcelona has metros, when possible, in their become an entrepreneurial hub. strategies for growth. Take the 30/ These are two European metros 10 initiative in Los Angeles, which have embraced intelligent California, where voters approved economic design and purposeful a sales tax to build a state-of-the- action, playing on their special art metro transit system in 30 assets. years. The mayor of Los Angeles Ultimately, metros will need suggested a plan to the federal greater engagement from the government whereby it give the federal and state governments to city a low- cost credit, backed by retool the US economy. Brookings the sales tax revenues, to finish is now working with three US the job in just 10 years. This metros – Minneapolis/St.Paul, accelerated construction could Seattle and Northeast Ohio – to create 160,000 jobs in a metro produce metropolitan business where 765,000 people are plans aimed at aligning state and currently unemployed. federal resources in the service of The federal government should metropolitan growth. These also invest in a National Infrastruc- business plans are designed to ture Bank to improve America’s help the metro areas capitalise on outdated transportation net- their unique assets and establish a works, and a National Green Bank regional framework for growth. to accelerate the delivery of a low For instance, Minneapolis/St.Paul carbon economy in the US. The has the potential to become a hub federal government must also end of innovation and entrepreneurial the incentives that prompt excess activity, while Seattle might consumption. If the US govern- become a global leader in produc- ment caps the mortgage interest ing advanced green technology. tax relief, which has financed the States can also help their metros property sector that contributed by offering voters the opportunity to the onset of the recession, then to support market– shaping it will save $177 billion over five investments tailored to their years to spend on infrastructure metro’s assets. This is what the improvements.

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So from all of this, what are the are being regenerated and there is implications for Scotland and the collaboration between Glasgow UK? The UK economy resembles and Edinburgh, which is very the economy of the United States promising. However, all this needs in many ways. It elevated con- to be explicit national policy. sumption over production and Otherwise, Scotland and the UK helped the recession along. But in will not be able to compete fully. the “next economy” Scotland has Directly electing mayors is also a certain advantages already, as it policy that deserves more consid- has enormous possibilities in the eration. They are crucial to the field of a low-carbon economy. “next economy” as they bring Devolution is also working in together producing sectors for the Scotland’s favour in that it has benefit of everyone. Cities should extended power down from be brought together. Their central government to metropoli- distinctiveness should be em- tan areas. This is evident in the braced, but their unique assets . The waterfront areas should be used for the advantage of all.

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Bella Bathurst 1 February 2011 Why Do We Need a Lighthouse? The Bell Rock and the Stevensons Now. Joint Event with the Northern Lighthouse Board

Setting the scene, Bella Bathurst the lighthouse engineers. She took the audience back to the continued by looking at the challenge Robert Stevenson and impact of global positioning his men faced in building a light systems (GPS) on navigation, on the dreaded Inchcape Rock, concluding that over-reliance on graveyard of so many ships and the accuracy of such systems seamen. She brought vividly to life (which are vulnerable to accidental Stevenson’s success in recruiting or deliberate distortion) carries and motivating a skilled team, and significant risk. Traditional in devising practical solutions to navigational skills continue to be unprecedented problems. The important in coastal waters. In completed light was manned for this context, lighthouses as a 175 years, with the keepers living system of dependable, identifiable in the most spartan of accommo- fixed points highlighting risk, Ms dation, as vividly recalled by the Bathurst concluded, are as last Principal Keeper. Ms Bathurst important as ever. then discussed the changes in “The reason why we need them is shipping since the Bell was built, simply, shiningly obvious – and went on to look at the because they’re a light in the prospect of large-scale offshore dark.” wind farms. She pointed out that their designers and builders face Event as part of a conference the same challenges as the organised by the Royal Society of Stevensons, highlighting the high Edinburgh, in partnership with level of risk involved in building the Northern Lighthouse Board and maintaining offshore engi- and supported by Inchcape neering structures. The challenge Shipping Services: The Bell Rock faced by modern engineers is to Lighthouse, the Stevensons and achieve durability and dependabil- Emerging Issues in Aids to ity for offshore generators Navigation comparable with that achieved by Conference Proceedings available ISBN: 978 0 902198 41 8

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Professor Tim Lang 14 February 2011 Food Security and Sustainability: One Can’t Make an Omelette Without Cracking Some Eggs The Royal Society of Edinburgh ECRR Peter Wilson Lecture

The way we think about food as create change, but there are other individuals and nations must ways. What is clear, however, is change if there is to be enough to that the status quo is not sustain- go round, now and in the future. able. Giving the eighth Peter Wilson In recent years there has been, Lecture, Professor Tim Lang what Professor Lang called, a argued that radical action is “flurry” of overview reports from needed to ensure food sustaina- different bodies worldwide, bility – and that we have to including the 2011 UK Foresight rethink our ideas on consumption report and the Chatham House as well as production. report of 2008. Although they Professor Tim Lang described the have differing emphases, the situation succinctly as “we’re in a reports note similar trends and mess, that’s it”. The question is pressures. He put these under how will we get out of it? Food four broad headings: security is a real issue for today as · Environmental – including well as tomorrow, and policy biodiversity, climate change and makers, where they are actually water; engaging at all, are too timid. · Economic – including price Professor Lang described where volatility and energy reliance; we are, talked a little about how we got here and looked in · Sociocultural – including particular at recent and current aspirations for more, inequalities policy initiatives. and globalisation; and In a talk which was at times · Health – including over- and alarming – for example, he said under-malnutrition and healthcare that Britain was just three days costs. away from running out of food The reports have, he said, a during the 2000 blockades by common sense of urgency, but lorry drivers over fuel prices – he have several weaknesses, notably nevertheless suggested some around labour and the power ways forward. We might end up vested in retailers and traders, relying on ‘events’ (such as war) to which “rule food systems”. They

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generally assume Western models If we look at history, the emphasis of consumption – i.e., always has been on production – finding wanting more – and do not better and cheaper ways to satisfy consider how to reconcile the growing demand for food. This requirements of health and continues to this day, with ecology in a coherent way. The technologies such as genetic issues are complex, which is modification (GM) and nanotech- contributing to a policy mismatch: nology seeking ways to intensify politicians want simple messages, supply in a sustainable way. But so concentrate on prices and other issues and potential availability, and focus on the solutions are all but ignored, said short-term when it’s a long-term Professor Lang. For example, little, vision that is required. if anything, is done to challenge There are also questions about the aspirations of consumers – to whose problem it is. Is food encourage a shift of thinking from security merely an issue for what we want to eat, to what we overseas, for those who do not need to eat to survive. have enough food, or is it a Policy making is weak and problem for Western nations, governments are timid and there which are over-consuming the is no overarching analysis of the world’s resources and where action needed. demand is increasing? Professor Across the world, less-developed Lang thinks it’s everyone’s prob- nations are already feeling food lem – and that the affluent West insecurity at the sharp end, with should be addressing its own role 102 billion people hungry in in world food security, as well as 2009. Meanwhile, older models – in individual countries. Prices of such as the productionism food have been coming down for advocated by Sir John Boyd Orr in many years, but are now rising. the mid-20th Century – no longer The increased costs aren’t neces- serve us well today. There are a sarily going to producers but, number of questions which must rather, the profits are creamed off be addressed, including whether by retailers and traders. The UK’s we want food security for all, or own resilience has come into just for us, and whether we question – for example, during should focus on production or on the fuel blockades mentioned the entire supply chain – including above. Meanwhile, we have a consumer behaviour. And should growing obesity crisis, which is health be built into production or adding to pressure on health is it an add-on? All these issues services, and there are environ- have yet to be addressed in a mental concerns too. meaningful way – but it’s not even

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decided who is responsible for approach, rather than looking at doing so. Should it be govern- overall diet or, indeed, at consum- ments, individuals, companies, or er behaviours. Civil society, all of these? including charities, NGOs and Policy makers are reluctant to local groups, is becoming en- engage for different reasons. For gaged, with one-off initiatives example, some don’t think it’s a such as the Fife Diet, which problem, while others think that encourages people to eat locally. the market will solve it. Professor The policy environment in the UK Lang described the UK’s current changed with the results of the food situation. We provide 2010 election, and the coalition around 50 per cent of our own government’s focus is on cuts food, buying in the rest from a rather than on a coherent food wide variety of countries world- strategy. Indeed, some arms- wide. We grow just half of the length bodies which have food as vegetables we consume and a a focus – such as the Food mere ten per cent of the fruit we Standards Agency – face the axe. eat. The UK supply chain model There are also uncertainties ahead means that our food supply is, in around research, skills and general, stored in the lorries education. In health, said Profes- which transport it to the shops. sor Lang, the emphasis is on This means that the supply is not working with, rather than against, vulnerable to a one-off attack on a business. depot, but could falter with, for But none of the current policy example, a fuel crisis, or an attack positions – from the ‘ignore it and on the motorway network. hope it goes away’ to notions of So what is the UK doing to tackle leaving it to consumers or to all the issues around food, companies – meets the current including obesity? Not enough, need. said Professor Lang. Although According to Professor Lang, the there have been a number of way to achieve food security is to enquiries and reports, including a ensure food sustainability, and 2008 Cabinet Office overview this requires action on a number (Food Matters), little action has of fronts. Big change is needed followed in Europe, the UK, or in and it will take three to four its devolved nations. Some decades; a new framework and companies are taking action – for principles must be drawn up and example, the Marks & Spencer must have local and national buy- Plan A, which promotes sustaina- in; a shift in mindsets is required. bility – but this action by firms We have to move from thinking, often takes a product-specific for example, how to increase

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production to meet our current environmental and sustainability diets, to looking at what our concerns – for example, eating bodies actually need and how seasonably, eating less meat and farms can meet that need. Rather eating more locally produced than looking at how to lower food. So yes, we’re in a mess and prices, we should be thinking the issues are complex, but there about how to reflect costs. And is a way ahead, concluded we should be building production Professor Lang. We can either take on ecological principles, and action now to bring about food redefining what we mean by sustainability or await ‘events’ efficiency. which bring matters to a head and We have to change what and how force change. we eat, in response to health,

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Professor Jan McDonald 18 February 2011 On Our Humble Dumfries Boards… the Plays, the Performers and some of the Politics in the First Ten Years of the Dumfries Theatre Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

At the dawn of the eighteenth Introduction Century there were no dedicated The opening of the theatre in theatre buildings in Scotland; one Dumfries in 1792 was preceded hundred years later, there were by an announcement in the two in Edinburgh, and no fewer Dumfries Weekly Journal: Mr than eight in towns throughout Williamson, who has the honour the country: Aberdeen, Arbroath, of conducting the Theatrical Ayr, Dundee, Glasgow, Greenock, Amusements of this city for the Paisley – and Dumfries. Built by ensuing season, most respectfully public subscription, the ‘New’ begs leave to announce to the Theatre in Dumfries opened in Public, that the extensive prepara- 1792. tions for opening a new and Described as “the handsomest elegant Theatre are nearly com- provincial theatre in Scotland”, it pleted, and that the season will was frequented by the local commence in the course of the gentry, even a few of the clergy, present week. and a fair proportion of radicals. The theatre, described as the Its most famous patron was, of “handsomest provincial theatre in course, Robert Burns, who Scotland” was built on the model regularly wrote prologues for the of the Theatre Royal Bristol and performers to deliver on special the Theatre Royal Edinburgh. The occasions, and whipped up local auditorium held 500–600 in total, support for the players. Against with seating distributed between the turbulent background of the pit, the boxes and an upper religious and legal controversies gallery. The cost was around that accompanied the rise of £800, mainly funded by a group professional theatre in Scotland in of 30 subscribers, not necessarily the eighteenth Century, this talk motivated by the love of theatrical explored the repertoire and the entertainment, but by an early actors of the early years of the recognition of the commercial Dumfries Theatre, and addressed benefit that high standard the vexed question that is still entertainment could bring by contentious today – “How attracting lucrative and socially Scottish was/is Scottish Theatre?”

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prestigious events, such as the licence as required under new Caledonian Hunt, to the district. legislation from the London The new manager pledged “to Parliament. The success of spare neither expence nor unre- Douglas, written by John Home, a mitting attention to invite merit of clergyman, presented as part of a every description, and to procure musical entertainment at the the best performers, and perform- Canongate Concert Hall, as it was ances, for the gratification [of the now called, in 1737, (a production Dumfries patrons]”. which elicited the celebrated Theatrical Context comment, “Whaur’s yer Wullie Shakespeare noo?”), was instru- The development of theatre in mental in establishing a licensed Dumfries must be considered in theatre in Edinburgh. The Canon- the context of the general expan- gate was licensed in 1746 and, in sion of the theatrical activity 1769, a new theatre was built, “in across Scotland in the mid- keeping with the dignity of the eighteenth Century. Owing to an New Town”, opposite Register enduring Calvinistic anti-theatrical House. Once Edinburgh had an prejudice among the influential established theatre that could clergy, together with the depar- offer a base to actors from ture of the Scottish Court (and London, other towns in Scotland later the Legislature) to London, followed very rapidly, and by the Scotland was largely denuded of end of the century there were two that social class which had theatres in Edinburgh, and one in provided the principal patrons of each of Aberdeen, Arbroath, Ayr, theatre. Dundee, Glasgow, Greenock, In considering how the theatre Paisley and Dumfries. came to Edinburgh and, therefore, Prior to the establishment of to Scotland, Professor McDonald dedicated theatre buildings, these identified the contribution of the towns had all played host to poet Allan Ramsay whose drama, actors from the Edinburgh The Gentle Shepherd (1731) was companies who toured through- one of only two reputable dramas out Scotland in their ‘closed to be written in Scotland in the season’, performing on makeshift entire century. Ramsay went on to stages in a variety of public open the first dedicated theatre buildings. In Dumfries, the Old space in Scotland in Carruber’s Assembly Rooms in the George Close in the Canongate in Hotel hosted the company whose Edinburgh in 1736, though the popularity with the gentry led to venture lasted only one year, as it the building of the New Theatre in was not granted a royal patent or 1792, and whose members played

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a significant part in the early years extend to Ireland, and Scotland, of theatrical activity in the bor- and therefore are sure, the source ough. This Old Assembly Rooms being contaminated, to poison company, almost all of whom the general taste”. came from the Edinburgh Theatre The ‘New’ Theatre Royal, was led by the highly regarded George Sutherland, who The Dumfries Theatre mounted had played Norval opposite the plays for a limited season, typically great Mrs Siddons in Home’s from late September through to Douglas in Edinburgh in 1784. the early New Year, coinciding Robert Burns wrote of the actors, with the presence of the Caledo- “their merit and character are nian and Dumfries and Galloway indeed very great, both on the Hunts, the Assizes and the Rood stage and in private life; not a Fair in the region. The Edinburgh worthless creature among them’, Theatre Royal’s seasons ran praising Sutherland in particular between January and July, and “a worthier or cleverer fellow I therefore groups of actors were have rarely met with”. Burns went free to tour the provincial theatres on to write a Prologue to be in the Autumn. Playing days were delivered by the actor on New typically Mondays, Wednesdays Year’s Day, 1790, that acknowl- and Fridays, with programmes edged (and regretted) the beginning on Wednesdays and Edinburgh influence on theatre in being changed weekly. The Dumfries. Theatre opened at 6pm, perform- ances would start at 7pm and This influence was evident in both often last until after 11pm. repertoire and casting, and since Edinburgh in turn was influenced Prices ranged between 3s for the by London, the early years of boxes, 2s for the pit, and 1s for theatre in Dumfries and in other the gallery, with tickets purchased Scottish towns could hardly be at the Office of the Theatre (box called indigenous. Some contem- office), coffee shops, booksellers, porary commentators, such as J C pubs and certain retail outlets. Dibdin, believed that this metro- There were several different types politan domination was of performance in addition to the dangerously stultifying: “No regular programme. First, in theatre in the kingdom, except catering for those bringing those in London, produce the commercial benefits to the area, smallest novelty. If therefore [poor] there were request performances performances obtain at the two by particular sections of the [London] theatres, they go community, such as plays present- through the whole nation, and ed “by particular desire of the

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Gentlemen of the Caledonian and enjoying the prestige of having Dumfries and Galloway Hunt”, or played in London theatres such as “by particular desire of regiments Covent Garden, Drury Lane and quartered in Dumfries”. Secondly, the Haymarket. Scottish actors, there were performances for such as Henry Erskine Johnstone, charity, for example “for the Harriet Murray Siddons and industrious poor”, sponsored by William Murray, were to emerge in the local magistrates and, thirdly, the next generation. performances for the benefit of Actors often came as family the actors. These ‘benefits’ were groups, children joining with their contractual agreements between parents at a very young age, for the actor and the manager on example, George Sutherland trod hiring, that the actor’s wages the Dumfries boards along with would be supplemented by one or both Mrs and Miss Sutherland. more ‘benefits’ in a season, These ‘family packages‘ left little whereby the actor received a scope for newcomers from proportion of the takings for a outside the profession. particular performance. To illustrate the features of a Benefits at the Dumfries Theatre typical evening’s entertainment, generally occurred quite late in Professor McDonald made the season, often in December. In reference to a contemporary 1793, the theatre was kept open playbill for a Benefit for Mr Wilson into January to allow actors to on 12 December 1792. Wilson is complete the series of benefits. It recorded as being somewhat was important to harness local unreliable and frequently in debt, support for such performances, owing, as one chronicler put it, to and Robert Burns was active in “too great an indulgence in the soliciting the patronage of his follies of the Town”. Nevertheless friends, as well as writing occa- he was a well-loved old actor, as sional addresses for two of Miss demonstrated by the apparent Fontenelle’s benefits, notably the willingness of other leading cast celebrated Rights of Women. members and the theatre manag- The Actors and the Repertoire er, Mr Williamson, to be involved. Most of the actors in the early The programme comprised the days were English or occasionally main item, The Merry Wives of Irish, and had appeared (and Windsor, in which Wilson played indeed continued to appear) at Falstaff; an epilogue to the play the Theatre Royal Edinburgh and Riding on an Ass; a comic mono- the other newly-built theatres logue recited by Wilson; Scots throughout Scotland, with some songs with Mrs Warrell; and then Wilson returned yet again as

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Bayes, the leading role in an dance by Mrs Sutherland, or The adaptation of Buckingham’s The Dwarf Dance: a transformation. Rehearsal, concluding with a There would follow a second play, spectacular battle scene. The perhaps a musical farce, a comic variety could be likened more to opera or an early melodrama. Next an evening of television viewing came a pantomime: Harlequin’s today, rather than to an evening at Flight to the Moon(1793), Medea the contemporary theatre. And Jason(1794), Raymond and The playbill illustrated the typical Agnes or The Bleeding Nun format of an evening’s entertain- (1801). ment, namely a main-piece, often Spectacle in many guises was a play by Shakespeare (Hamlet, especially popular. Military Macbeth & Richard III were spectacle, at the time when the particularly popular), or eight- Revolutionary Wars and later the eenth-Century successes, for Napoleon Wars with France were example, Sheridan’s School for raging, attracted the crowds. The Scandal, The Duenna, and Pizarro, Siege of Valenciennes and a John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, recreation of of Nelson’s victory at Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Copenhagen stirred patriotic Conquer and Nicholas Rowe’s fervour. The short-lived peace in tragedy Jane Shore. There were 1801 was celebrated with a also dramas made famous by Mrs fireworks display. Siddons, including domestic Acrobatic feats proliferated in sentimental pieces such as The pantomime, with great leaps Gamester by Edward Moore and across the auditorium from the The Stranger by Kotzebue and, of gallery to the back of the stage. course, Home’s Douglas. There was rope dancing and Next would come an interlude, trapeze work, and speciality acts perhaps a short musical comic such as imitations of birdsong, or piece such as Hooly and Fairly with Cartwright’s Musical Glasses words by Burns then a song or “received with approbation in songs, including Scottish songs, courts all over Europe”. for example Burns’s The Banks of With such a quantity of material the Nith, or sea songs and for each show, the actors were popular ‘hits’ of the day, followed worked very hard. For example, in by a monologue (Burns’s Rights of the 1792/93 season, in three and Women falls into this category, as a half months (October to mid- does Mr Guion’s Lecture on the January), performances included Stage, and then a dance, such as 13 main plays, 16 farces/musicals/ the dance of the witches in comic operas, eight interludes, Macbeth, a high (ie high kicking)

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innumerable songs, and speciality Williamson. Towards the end of numbers. the eighteenth Century and the The same playbill also provided start of the nineteenth, there were the opportunity to describe some two other major players in the of the leading performers who fortunes of Dumfries theatre to played at Dumfries. These includ- whom Professor McDonald paid ed James Brown Williamson, who tribute. had moderate success in both They were Stephen Kemble and London and Edinburgh, and his wife Elizabeth Satchell. Kemble became acting manager for the belonged to the leading theatrical latter company. Another was family of the age, although as an Louisa Fontenelle, who began as a actor he could in no way match up young actress at Covent Garden. to his brilliant siblings, his sister, Her “sprightly air and mirthful Sarah Siddons, regarded as one of glee” were much praised as she the greatest actresses of all time, went to complete summer and his brother, John Philip seasons at the Haymarket whilst Kemble. He did, however, became ‘wintering’ in Edinburgh and a pioneering theatre manager, Dumfries. In particular, she caught and opened up ‘the Provinces’ to the eye of Burns, who wrote in touring. In this venture he had the December 1795: “To you, Madam, advantage of being able to call on on our humble Dumfries boards, I his brilliant family to appear in his have been more indebted for theatres outwith London. Indeed, entertainment than ever I was in Sarah Siddons was the first prouder theatres. Your charms as London actor of repute to break a woman would insure applause through the prejudice which to the most indifferent actress, regarded summer ‘strolling’, or and your theatrical talents would starring in the provincial theatres, insure admiration to the plainest as a degradation. Stephen Kemble figure”. began his management of the Together with Williamson, now Theatre Royal Newcastle in 1791 her husband, Fontenelle went to and branched out from there to the United States, where she was manage other theatres in the a great favourite both in Boston north of England and in Scotland, and in Charleston before she died including Edinburgh, Glasgow, of yellow fever at the age of 29. Aberdeen, Dundee and Dumfries. The Kemble Management There was no significant change in the content of the playbills, but The early years of the ‘New’ the programme was enhanced Theatre were dominated by through the engagement of ‘star’ managers, Sutherland and performers, notably Elizabeth

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Satchell/Kemble, who had received theatre, and the repertoire, apart favourable reviews for her portray- from a few songs and mono- al of Yarico in the comic opera logues, was largely that of any Inkle and Yarico, staged in major English provincial company. London venues, including the Amongst the limited Scottish Haymarket. Similar critical acclaim content were the dramas of was also recorded in the Dumfries Archibald MacLaren, a soldier, Weekly Journal: “Her excellent actor and dramatist. He wrote a performance of that character has large number of plays, often on justly been the subject of high Scottish or American or Irish panegyric, We can only join our subjects. The plays featured tribute to her established reputa- dialectical humour and Irish, tion by observing, that her American or Scottish settings, but delineations were striking, natural his work largely followed English and affecting—and commanded dramatic conventions. Many of his the attention of and applause of dramas were premiered in an elegant audience”. theatres in Scotland, and many of Whilst Elizabeth Kemble was them were performed by the probably the most distinguished Edinburgh Theatre Royal company performer to appear on the in their tours to Scottish towns; Dumfries stage in the eighteenth for example, The Highland Drover Century, the pattern of engaging was played in Inverness, Aber- London ‘stars’ was to continue in deen, Perth, Dundee and later years: Dumfries audiences Greenock. Indeed, some were saw the young Edmund Kean, directly related to, or adapted for, William Charles Macready, Samuel the town in which they first Phelps, G V Brooke and others. At appeared, such as The Humours the same time, in his management of Greenock Fair and The Siege of role, Stephen Kemble was to Perth. promote more popular fare for a The second playbill discussed by more popular audience. This often Professor McDonald was from 26 meant more melodrama, more December 1792, when the New spectacle, more music and more Theatre Dumfries mounted a exotic animals; but few new plays Benefit for MacLaren, who had of any literary merit. been a member of the company A Scottish Theatre? since its inception some three months before. Appropriately he Like other Scottish theatres at this chose two of his own works, The time, Dumfries was managed by American Slaves or Love and Englishmen, the actors were in the Liberty: a Comic Opera and The main culled from the London

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Siege of Perth, or Sir William adaptations of his novels forming Wallace, the Scots Champion. the basis of the so-called ‘National Notwithstanding these examples, Drama’ at the Theatre Royal, Burns for one lamented the fact Edinburgh in the nineteenth that there were so few Scottish Century, but it was not until the plays, which he expressed in a early twentieth Century that a prologue written for Sutherland: truly indigenous Scottish drama was born, and not until the “What needs this din about the second half of the twentieth town o’ Lon’on, Century that it grew to be accord- How this new play an’ that new ed the international reputation sang is comin’? that it now enjoys. Why is outlandish stuff sae meikle The Next Phase courted? The Theatre in Dumfries was Does nonsense mend like whiskey, granted a Royal Patent in 1810. In when imported? 1876 the auditorium was altered to accommodate 1000 spectators. Is there nae poet, burning keen It subsequently became a cinema, for fame, but in the mid twentieth Century Will try to gie us songs and plays was acquired by the Dumfries at hame?” Guild of Players, which continues The ‘poet’ who was in a sense to to mount productions in this rise to this challenge was Sir historic venue. Walter Scott, the plethora of stage

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Professor José Torero-Cullen FREng, FRSE 14 March 2011 The Twin Towers: Ten years – Ten Lessons on Sustainable Infrastructure Royal Academy of Engineering / Royal Society of Edinburgh Lecture

The history of technological the disposal of the infrastructure. evolution is filled with failures and In those terms the World Trade the lessons learnt from them. Center collapses do not reflect the Many will even claim that “design definition of sustainability. When by disaster” is one of the most addressing fire, the design of tall effective methods for progress. buildings needs to embrace these The World Trade Center (WTC) is principles. no exception. The collapse of the Lesson 2: Fire safety is a social World Trade Center buildings had responsibility that guarantees the the potential to question the mere citizen a safe environment, thus it nature of tall buildings and mark is an integral part of sustainable tall building design in ways that building design. This social we could have never anticipated. responsibility has been historically Nevertheless, tall building design translated into codes and stand- in the last decade was not driven ards that establish prescriptive by September 11th 2001, but by a requirements for buildings. These strong impetus towards sustaina- prescriptive requirements, if bility and a thriving real estate followed carefully, provide the market. The result has been an minimum level of safety required unprecedented growth in the by society. number of tall buildings and unprecedented innovation driven The nature of codes and stand- by sustainability. ards is responsive, thus their development is not a driver for The World Trade Center failures construction technology but a have not driven the evolution of reaction to the introduction of tall buildings; nevertheless, a novel ideas. Because of this, there series of more subtle, but no less have been periods in which codes important lessons have emerged. and standards had enough Lesson 1: Sustainability is a embedded knowledge that they managed life cycle where proac- could respond to all variants of tive decisions are made to reduce construction innovation. In these consumption and negative impact periods, infrastructure can be from the inception of a project to comprehensively classified into

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some group that is fully addressed are by nature optimised struc- by a specific set of rules. Few tures, thus their design needs to exceptions appear outside the incorporate fire safety as an codes and standards and require integral design component. individualised solutions. In Lesson 4: Sustainability requires periods of great urban or techno- optimised utilisation of tools and logical development, codes and resources. Problems need to be standards cannot cope with the understood and resolved by evolution imposed by the drivers means of the most adequate of the construction industry. In methodologies. The WTC demon- these periods, codes and stand- strated that, for tall buildings, ards fall behind, standard egress and structural performance solutions only concern few are the pillars on which fire safety buildings and, in most cases, stands. But for tall buildings, individualised solutions are egress is of a similar time scale to necessary. Explicit definitions of the deterioration of the structure safety produced using engineer- by the fire. Thus, both compo- ing tools need to complement nents of the fire safety strategy are codes and standards to provide coupled. Egress times can be individualised solutions. The WTC reduced but, for tall buildings, epitomised innovation, and most they can never be made much technical solutions were evaluated shorter than structural failure using the most sophisticated times. Thus improvements in engineering tools of the time. Fire egress can be legislated through safety was established in a purely code requirements. In contrast, prescriptive manner. The last innovative structures need a decade has been a period of great proper engineering analysis, innovation for tall buildings, thus because they do not conform to fire safety cannot be based on a standard practices but mainly purely prescriptive analysis. because their integrity is the Lesson 3: Sustainability requires guarantee for safe egress. In the building in the infrastructure’s life absence of an adequate structural cycle through an optimised design design, enhanced egress capabili- process. The WTC did not opti- ties cannot be used as mise fire safety within the compensation. The safety of tall structural design process, thus it buildings requires an explicit was not optimised correctly. The structural analysis conducted failure to understand the structur- using state-of-the-art engineering al behaviour in fire resulted in tools. disproportionate and unpredicta- ble consequences. Tall buildings

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Lesson 5: Sustainability is about buildings? Sustainable tall shared responsibility. The WTC buildings require the involvement showed that the responsibility for of professionals competent in the integrating structural integrity to design of a comprehensive fire the fire safety strategy was safety strategy. undefined. While in a prescriptive Lesson 7: Throughout the WTC environment the architect is investigation, it became very clear responsible for the definition of that the framework educating thermal protection to the struc- professionals involved in the ture, nobody is responsible for the design of innovative buildings assurance that the structure will leaves a gap of knowledge when perform adequately. The implicit it comes to the assessment of assumption that thermal protec- safety. It is designed to operate tion is sufficient to guarantee within a prescriptive environment safety was proven inadequate. For and does not incorporate the tall buildings, the structural knowledge base necessary for engineer needs to assume engineering-based safety. If we responsibility for the adequate are to continue to strive for performance of the structure in a sustainable infrastructure and the fire. associated innovation, then we Lesson 6: Innovation introduces need to support the development complexity, thus the drive for of an educational framework that sustainable tall buildings is will enable our professionals to introducing fundamental changes deliver safe infrastructure. The in structural design, material current framework is not sustaina- selection and potential fire ble. conditions. The WTC demonstrat- Lesson 8: The WTC showed that ed that to establish an adequate we lack an adequate definition of fire safety strategy, there was a competence. Our current defini- need for professionals of great tion of competence not only knowledge in all fields involved. leaves enormous knowledge gaps, Questions of competence but also is structured around emerged when the analysis of incorrect objectives. The develop- recognised professionals was put ment of sustainable tall buildings into question. What does a needs a definition of who is structural engineer need to know competent to deliver the engi- to be able to design a tall building neered fire safety strategy. that will be safe in a fire? What does a fire safety engineer need to know to be able to design a proper fire safety strategy for tall

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Lesson 9: Extracting from a failure phenomena, but not to transform all the knowledge that will enable that knowledge into design professionals not to make the methodologies and tools. The same mistakes requires a mini- gaps of knowledge are now mum level of prior understanding. evident; thus the future of tall The most successful investigations building design depends on our are those conducted in an capability to continue filling these atmosphere where all those knowledge gaps at a pace faster involved have sufficient knowl- than our capability to innovate. edge to make the most of the Lesson 10: The WTC showed that investigation and to transfer that if we want sustainable tall new knowledge into the design buildings, we need to develop the process. In the past, fire investiga- knowledge base and the techno- tions have been conducted in logical tools that can adequately such an atmosphere. assess the performance of a fire The unprecedented magnitude safety strategy. We need to and novelty of the WTC failure incorporate this knowledge, not caught the fire safety and structur- by legislating new rules, but al communities unprepared for through adequate professionals the investigation. Thus, over the structured within a relevant last decade, these professional definition of competence. We communities have produced the need to legislate competence, not science to unveil many of the standardised solutions.

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Professor Ted Cowan 31 March 2011 Galloway Waterways Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

Professor Cowan discussed the light of nature, the other inspired role of water in the history of the by divine revelation.” southwest and the importance of “Oh, tak ne back to Galloway, the Solway in the history of where the caller air like wine, Dumfries and Galloway from Sweeps down frae bare prehistory to the present as a link Craignelder, or the steeps o dark with the outer world and the Corserine, means of emigration over the Where Deuch and Ken wi mony a centuries. Waterways conferred turn, by hill, and bog, and scree, identity on the inhabitants of the Come wimplin frae their mossy various dales and glens, paradoxi- hames to join the silver Dee.” cally bringing people together but also serving as territorial bounda- The term ‘waterways’ can refer to ries; they served as the physical presence of sea, communication routes as well as rivers, lochs and canals and also barriers to travel in a world the cultural ‘ways’ of water, for without bridges. From the log- example, how waterways impact boats of prehistory to modern upon the population which they Hydro schemes, water has shaped support and how the folk respond the lives of all who inhabited this to them. Water is the essential ancient landscape. element in our existence. In Dumfries and Galloway water is a Professor Cowan set the scene for plentiful commodity, yet occasion- his talk by reciting two quotes ally we are reminded of how relating to water, one universal in dependent we are upon it when nature, composed by Francis we experience drought or frozen Bacon, and the other, by an pipes. Professor Cowan described anonymous author, which focuses the fragility of water, ascertaining on the Galloway region. that “future wars will be fought “The knowledge of man is the over it. Range wars over access to waters, some descending from water in western movies simply above, and some springing from symbolise wars between Nature beneath; the one informed by the and Business that have gone on in places such as California for a

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century and a half. Canadians are calmer. The roar grew fainter – the paranoid that their neighbours wave had passed far along the will siphon off the Great Lakes if river. The tide was up.” both countries do not destroy The Solway has long been them with industrial effluent first. considered a crucial component of In Dubai a litre of petrol is cheaper the frontier between Scotland and than a litre of water, here the England. However, historically, benchmark is a can of lager in Professor Cowan suggested, it is Tesco.” more appropriate to think of The World waterways support vast life Solway in terms of linking places systems, some of them as yet together rather than separating barely known, yet humanity them and, in reality, lessening competes for these resources in Galloway’s isolation. He noted supporting ecology, tourism, that Galloway seems to “have recreation, energy production, become dazzled by such designa- industry, irrigation and domestic tions as ‘a land apart’, ‘the water supply. What happens or forgotten province’ or ‘the has happened in south west unknown region’.” But realistical- Scotland is simply a microcosm of ly, The Solway could be seen as what goes on worldwide. the highway to the world, bring- Dumfries and Galloway has ing the first of our ancestors to numerous physical waterways, the Scotland and other major life- most evident of which is the changing developments, Solway Firth. Professor Cowan including Christianity through St described The Solway as “a ’s arrival in Whithorn. The supreme waterway….quiet and Solway linked Galloway with peaceful but somehow menac- neighbours in Ireland, the Isle of ing”. Writing in ‘The Gallovidian’ Man, Wales, the Hebrides and in 1938, E M Balfour-Browne north-west England. In medieval describes the Solway bore, ”There times it also enabled voyages to was a murmuring sound in the air. France, the Low Countries, the It grew, it became a rushing noise, Baltic and the Mediterranean. drawing nearer, swelling to a dull Many famous seamen were roar. Up the quiet river stormed inspired by the Galloway water- another river- voiceful, clamorous, ways. These included Robert persistent, tossing, leaping, wave Gordon of Lochinvar, who in 1622 buffeting, wave-rolling over, was the inspiration behind swallowing up the first smooth Scotland’s first colonial expedition stream. On dashed the tumbling to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, swell, the channel behind brim- renamed by him New Galloway. ming, heaving, slowly growing Professor Cowan described how

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boys, including the future founder His contemporary, John Leslie in of the American Navy, John Paul his wrote that Jones, who hailed from Kirkbean these brigands “go forth in the in Galloway, would have “spent night through desert byways and their childhoods scanning the winding crankies, crooked southern horizon of the Solway turnings and steep downfalls in shore. For Jones and many others the thickest mists and deepest Whitehaven, across the Firth in darkness.” However, many were Cumbria, was a kind of capital city lost crossing the fords. Alexander of Galloway with its bustling port II of Scotland reputedly lost over and lively maritime trade…Later 1000 men while crossing in the the Solway carried off thousands 13th Century of emigrants, like Jones, from Professor Cowan described the these shores. Sometimes when Clochmabenstane, a massive lecturing in Washington or granite boulder of about 10 feet Georgetown I like to fancy that high and 18 feet in girth, as “the some of the water in the Potomac Solway’s greatest monument”. is the end of a current which Originally part of an ellipse extends across the Atlantic to curl including other smaller stones, it round by Carsethorn into the Nith is situated near the confluence of Estuary.” However, not all the rivers Kirtle and Esk. Many commentators were impressed by such monuments are associated the majestic Solway, Lord Cock- with water, particularly the burn writing in The Gallovidian in meeting point of fresh water and 1939 states “[the Solway] is the salt water and the site must have stupidest of all our firths. Few been reached from the sea. “It is rocks, no islands and especially no tempting to think of the people edging of picturesque moun- round here when it was built as tains’. He also complained somewhat like Marsh Arabs, living quixotically that ‘Southwick is too off fish and birds. When the far from the sea, at least for a stone tumbled some years ago place so near it’! archaeologists were able to There were three fords across the determine that carbon fragments Solway and, because, of the in its socket were dated to 3,200 treacherous tides, boats were BC. It may be the Locus Maponi of always kept at these fords. the 7th Ccentury Ravenna Cos- According to the 16th Century mography, a cultic centre devoted English historian Camden, the to the worship of Mapon or Solway shore nurtured a warlike mabon, the Celtic god whom the kind of men who were infamous Romans identified with Apollo. for robberies and depredations. Mabon was the ‘divine youth’

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who is associated with music and with tears, poetry. He also has connections Since first I roved through Anwoth with Arthurian tales but sadly, woods, little is actually known about his Or steered my bark on Solway’s cult.” The site of the Clochma- floods, benstane remained of great Or wont “my youthful limbs to importance throughout the lave” medieval period. In winding Fleet’s pellucid wave; The Rivers of Dumfries and From Cardoness tower the owlet’s Galloway run like arteries and screech veins throughout the land. Mixed with the sea-mews on the Professor Cowan showed the beach- audience a map marked with the Wild, shrill, and loud the gray region’s rivers which demonstrat- curlew ed their abundance and scope. On sands of Fleet his whistle blew With the exception of Pilanton (Dugald Stewart Williamson from Burn, all of these rivers are south- Rivers of Galloway, Bards of running and thus symbolic of Galloway 62) good luck and the triumph over The River Dee or The Black Dee as evil in Scottish folklore. it was known flows 38 miles to Many of the region’s rivers have the Solway. At one time it was been celebrated in poetry, not all navigable to Tongland. Lord of it particularly good and much Cockburn writing in the Gallovidi- of it, as noted by Professor an 1939 relates an encounter with Cowan, written by “old guys a shepherd who was ‘much talking to rivers”! Professor offended at the slight put upon Cowan illustrated some of the his river by my asking him if it was facts about Galloway’s rivers using the Tarf. “Tarf? Tarf! deil a drap o’ excerpts of appropriate poetry. Tarf in’t. That’s the Black Water o Water of Fleet is one of the Dee! The ancientest water in shortest Galloway rivers yet it Scotland”’ enjoys the somewhat pretentious Dark rolling Dee, with they heath nomenclature of Big Water of covered mountains, Fleet; Thy wild rugged rocks by yon My native stream, my native vale, black birken glen, With reverence and with love I That claim’st thy supplies from the hail. cold mossy fountains, O’er me have flown twice thirty And minglest thy treasures with years, low-spreading Ken Bedimm’d with griefs and charged (Bards of Galloway 204)

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The River Nith, flowing for 71 There’s as much virtue, sense and miles to The Solway, is without pith doubt the major riverway in In Annan or the Water of Nith, south-west Scotland. Professor That quietly slips by Dumfries, Cowan quoted one commentator As any water in all Greece. who displayed his anti-Ayrshire For there and several other places, bias. “Till it gets away from About mill-dams and green brae- Ayrshire, the Nith is one of the faces, most cheerless of streams, Elrich elves and Brownies stayed, sluggish and shallow….deeply And green-gowned fairies danced tinctured with moss, and rarely and played, graced with plantation, green- When old John Knox and other sward, or even a bold bank, to some relieve the dreary monotony of its Began to plot the Hags of Rome, moorland landscape”. Below They suddenly took to their heels, Sanquhar, however, the river And did no more frequent these banks were “exquisitely rich in fields. many varieties of landscape, now Professor Cowan described the exhibiting a narrow acclivitous River Annan; “A close rival of the pass, diversified with wood, Nith historically and scenically is escarpment, and rock, now the ‘silver Annan’, surely the most bursting into an expanse of valley, apostrophised of local rivers, blooming as a garden, and which rises on the slopes of screened with warm-coloured and Hartfell to nurture Annandale on finely outlined mountain heights, its way to Annan Waterfoot”. As and now presenting such rapid the old rhyme has it; alterations of slope, undulation, haugh and hill, as charm and Annan, Tweed and Clyde surprise the eye, by the mingled A ran oot o ae hillside, wealth and number of transi- Though few are so familiar with tions.” the rest of it: Tweed ran but Annan wan Before reciting the following Clyde burst his side ower Corra poem celebrating the Nith, Linn Professor Cowan remarked that “it is quite difficult to think of Thus highlighting that, of the rhymes for Nith but the poet, three, the Annan had the shortest William Cleland, did not shirk the drop to the sea. task, while incidentally demon- The furthest east of the Galloway strating that not all Covenanters rivers is the Esk, whose dale is rife were kill-joys”. with tales of reivers and thieves and whose debateable lands led

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to the persecution of its inhabit- attempting to express his love for ants. a particularly difficult and crabbit Within the Dumfries and Galloway mistress” region there is a distinct differ- On thy face, when the blust’ring ence between the quantity of tempest king Lochs in the east and west of the In his wrath thy bosom scourges, region - being curiously scarce in I love to gaze, and to mark the Dumfriesshire with the exception race of the seven around Lochmaben, Of thy vexed and foaming surges; and Loch Ettrick east of Thornhill, But it turns out his homily is to but fairly numerous in Galloway. Loch Ryan. Indeed, Professor Cowan states, there was an attempt in the And fair art thou on summer days, nineteenth century to create a With white sails thickly gleaming; Scottish Lochs District to compete But sweeter now, with thy sleep- with Wordsworth country. Upon ing brow, asking the audience, “Of Gallo- In the placid moonshine dreaming way lochs how many of the better Other Galloway Waterways known could you place on a include many holy wells found map?”, it was apparent that this throughout the region. Professor early attempt at tourism promo- Cowan described how “certain tion was not successful. wells believed to have curative Carlingwark Loch at Castle qualities have been visited since Douglas is of great interest for its time immemorial, many Christian- crannogs, artificial islands found ised by the medieval church. The on lochs over many parts of Protestants attempted to outlaw Scotland. There is some debate as such practices as pagan supersti- to whether these were used for tion to little avail. The rise of defence or agricultural purposes. reason aided their campaign but Additionally, Carlingwark has then the world of science began yielded impressive examples of log to recognise the medical value of boats. Galloway has only one sea certain spas”. A good example loch in the entire region, Loch was the Dow or Black Loch at Ryan, near Stranraer is the largest, Penpont, condemned by the deepest safewater harbour on the minister in 1695 but soon approaches to the Clyde and over reinstated due to the discovery of the centuries was often full of iron-bearing qualities. Many ships seeking refuge from storms. charmers or folk healers incorpo- Professor Cowan noted that “one rated water in their charms. sad poet from the Clayhole Professor Cowan also discussed appears at first sight to be other aspects of water important

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to the Galloway region. These Local servants’ contracts specified included flooding, which al- that they were to be fed salmon though a temporary concern, has no more than three times a week. a major impact on the fertility of Nobody is sure just how old the the agricultural land; artificial practice of haaf net fishing in the waterways, including the first estuaries of the Solway is but the Galloway canal constructed in word haaf is Norse or Danish. 1765 and used to ship natural This tradition is dying out in the fertiliser to communities on the region.” Dee and the Ken; and salt making, The exploitation of water power the finest of which was produced has a very long history and as on the salt marshes at Ruthwell. Professor Cowan explained, we Fishing has always been a major have been living with a hydro cultural activity in regions with an economy for a very long time. The abundance of water. However, greatest water scheme to have an Professor Cowan stated that impact on Galloway was the several commentators deplored Hydro-Electric Scheme built the lack of sea fishing in the between 1931 and 1935 at a cost Solway. “William Cobbett became of £3 million. Whilst it was a almost apoplectic when he wonder of its day, Professor encountered coastal dwellers in Cowan deplored the lack of the region who were close to information about the social starvation yet who never attempt- history of the project. In a time of ed to harvest the sea. The serious unemployment, the apparent absence of skill may be development of the scheme down to the reliance upon salmon brought about 2,000 men a year caught in stake nets in estuaries, to the region for about five years. or otherwise trapped in fresh This scheme might have been water. Almost everyone who built earlier had the promoters mentions rivers mentions salmon, been able to find a market for the for example, in 1884 salmon were electricity, which was not possible said to be ‘few and far between until the creation of the National on the Fleet’ and the Luce boasted Grid. People at the time were said the best salmon and sea-trout in to be amazed by the engineers Wigtownshire but the fishing was almost God-like control of the reportedly ‘not so grand as waters. However, as with the formerly’. By the 1880s, rod development of wind farms today, fishing for salmon had become the hydro scheme and associated big business. Every landowner dams met with some opponents. who had the option exploited the They lamented the loss of beauty salmon resources on his river. spots and historic places as well as

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the erection of pylons. A local greater proportion of the people opponent, Ms McBurnie, pro- of Galloway had heard about it”. claimed “let us pray for a Professor Cowan concluded his miracle…and in the meantime let talk stating, “Rivers fascinate in us do all in our power to help part because they are metaphors those already working in the for Life. All have humble begin- cause of beauty. Let us keep some nings up in the hills, some are ideals, at least, from the welter of short, some are long, some are modern materialism and ugliness turbulent, some calm, most a that is making itself so evident in blend of both. As they flow the literature, the cities, the irresistibly onwards they are general atmosphere of today”. joined by other burns and However, this was largely greeted streams; they exceed themselves in by the wider community with floods and are reduced by apathy. Professor Cowan stated drought. They are essentially “The Galloway Water Power symbolic, above all, of the life Scheme had been conceived and force”. launched and had gone through Parliament almost before the

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Early Watchers of the Skies – Makdougall Brisbane and Other Great Scottish Astronomers Professor John Brown FRSE 11 April 2011 The Makdougall Brisbane Lecture

Originally scheduled for December accurately measuring the posi- 2010, but postponed due to bad tions of celestial objects. weather, this lecture was organ- Brisbane was a soldier, colonial ised to mark the 150th governor and RSE President, and anniversary of the death of Major performed many humanitarian General Sir Thomas Makdougall works. Following service in the Brisbane (1773–1860), a found- Peninsular War under Wellington, ing father of Scottish astronomy. he was appointed Governor of Professor Brown discussed the New South Wales. The city of achievements not only of Bris- Brisbane, in neighbouring bane, but also of other key figures Queensland, stands at the mouth in Scottish astronomy, especially of the river Brisbane – discovered Glasgow’s Alexander Wilson. In under Brisbane’s auspices and addition he outlined how astron- named after him. Wilson was a omy has emerged over the Glasgow University Professor who, subsequent centuries to become a in 1760, was appointed to highly sophisticated area of Scotland’s first ever Chair of science which tells us a great deal Astronomy. He was an instrument about the nature of the universe. maker, type maker and meteorolo- The years 2010 and 2011 mark a gist, and a Founding Fellow of the number of other significant RSE. astronomical anniversaries, which Professor Brown distinguished were highlighted by Professor between astronomy, which mainly Brown. These include: addresses the precise positions 1610 – the first telescopic obser- and distances of objects in space, vation of sunspots by Galileo; and astrophysics, which seeks to 1935 – the foundation of the understand their physical nature. Mills Observatory in Dundee Both face immense challenges as (Britain’s only full-time public branches of science which have to observatory); be carried out by remote observa- tion, as the objects they study are 1811 – the installation of the so far away. Brisbane, and Thomas prototype mural circle at Largs, for Henderson, a lawyer, cartoonist,

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mathematician and the first became the first person to Astronomer Royal for Scotland, measure (though not to publish) made immense strides in the the distance to a star outside our measurement of stellar positions, Solar System, establishing that and hence distances by parallax. Alpha Centauri is over 200,000 This was vital, according to times further from the Earth than Professor Brown, because the the Sun. apparent brightness or size of Brisbane also contributed greatly celestial objects is only a guide to to the mapping and cataloguing their true brightness and size if of the stars – fundamental to their distance is known – in a astronomy, which cannot function darkened room, a car headlamp, without an effective means of the same distance away as a bike describing where objects can be lamp, might be assumed to be found. Records of stellar positions closer because it looks brighter. have been made for thousands of Attempts have long been made to years, for example Ptolemy’s work out the distance between Almagest mapped more than Earth and the stars, including our 1,000 stars. During his time in the own Sun. Hipparchus, in the 2nd southern hemisphere, Brisbane Century BC, calculated the Sun to charted 7,385 stars. Modern be 430 times the radius of Earth technology, however, has trans- away, while Ptolemy, in the 2nd formed our knowledge, with the Century AD, reckoned it to be Hipparcos satellite having mapped 1,210 radii; Horrocks in 1639 said 2,539,913 stars by the year 2000. it was 14,000; and Huygens in Alexander Wilson was appointed 1659 thought it was 24,000 radii. first Regius Chair of Practical Modern calculations place it at it Astronomy in 1760. His early work 23,534 radii distant. Professor included the making of type faces, Brown said that some opposition specific gravity beads (for measur- to Copernican thought arose due ing strengths of spirits), to recognition that if similar telescopes and precision ther- techniques to measuring the mometers, which he used in distance to the Sun were applied balloon exploration of the to other stars, they would have to atmosphere and Joseph Black be ‘implausibly’ enormous used in his foundations of the distances away, which in reality theory of heat. However, Wilson is they are. He added that there are best remembered as the discover- areas of life today where we reject er of the ‘Wilson Effect’ in ideas because they seem unrea- sunspots, namely that they are sonable. Henderson, encouraged ‘hollows’ in the star’s surface. in his research by Brisbane, Some of the equipment Wilson

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used at Glasgow University distortion arising from the Observatory (founded in 1757) chromatic distorting prismatic was sent by the MacFarlane family effect of lenses. Gregory was the in Jamaica. Repairs to damage first person to find a way round suffered en route were carried out the problem that, with mirror by James Watt, who invoiced the telescopes, the observer tends to University of Glasgow for £4 15s, block the view of what they are but was paid £5 for doing such a trying to see. good job. Professor Brown also looked at Brisbane built an observatory at the contribution of David Steuart his home at Brisbane House in Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan Noddsdale, near Largs. Parts of it (1742–1829). Not a conventional survive today and efforts are astronomer, he nonetheless had a underway, led by the recently- fascination with the subject and established Brisbane Observatory did much to encourage others. Trust, to secure its preservation. Erskine built a large model of our Related survivals from the time are solar system and also created the huge pillars called the Three Kirkhill Pillar, which is engraved Sisters, which once held lamps with predictions of the positions and acted as the fore sights for of the planets, as seen from the Brisbane’s transit telescope to Sun, in May 2255. No one is sure ensure that it was pointing in why he chose this date, though exactly the right direction to make Professor Brown believes it is accurate measurements. Brisbane linked to the transit of Venus. also established two other Professor Brown then moved on observatories, including magne- to look at some of the knowledge tometers, one at Makerstoun in that has been gained by modern the Borders, and the other at astronomers, building on the Parramatta in New South Wales. foundations laid by the early The Parramatta Observatory was Scottish star gazers and their successful in the observational peers around the world. He recovery of Comet Encke. showed how advances in technol- Other significant Scots in astrono- ogy have transformed our ability my discussed by Professor Brown to observe astronomical phenom- included James Gregory (1638– ena, from detailed pictures of the 75), inventor of the Gregorian Sun’s surface through to images reflecting telescope, which of distant galaxies. The professor preceded the Newtonian tele- showed the immense variety of scope. Reflecting telescopes are sizes and types of objects which preferable to refractors as they are now known to exist, from image distant objects without the planets as small as Mercury to red

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supergiant stars such as V Y Canis that travel to the stars would take Majoris, which is 1.7 billion miles an enormous amount of time. He in diameter. cited the speed at which a train Finally, Professor Brown under- from Edinburgh to London would lined the immense variety of have to travel to have the same celestial objects, giving the journey time as a spaceship example of a collapsed star called crossing the universe at a neutron star, which spins 100,000km per second. To arrive 10,000 times per second, though at the same time, the train would only around the same size as have to cover one millimetre per Edinburgh or Glasgow. It is so century. In conclusion, he said the dense that it is the equivalent of universe is not only vast but squashing the entire human race astonishingly empty. If all its down to a single teaspoonful of matter were squashed down in matter. In terms of size, the one direction till it had the density universe is 14 billion light years of water, it would end up the across. The distances are so vast thickness of a penny.

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Professor David Fowler Senior Scientist at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh 12 April 2011 The European Nitrogen Cycle in a Global Context

The lecture began with an outline ozone in the troposphere. An of the global nitrogen cycle and analogy was drawn between the the way human activities have effect of nitrogen fertilising crops increased the amounts of fixed and the effect of nitrogen injected nitrogen (i.e., compounds other into the atmosphere, promoting a than N2 which are reactive in the range of chemical processes and atmosphere, and abbreviated as effectively fertilising the atmos- Nr) cycling through ecosystems phere. and the atmosphere. This brief The global nitrogen cycle was analysis showed that approxi- then contrasted with the recent mately two thirds of the Nr European Nitrogen Assessment, emitted to the atmosphere launched during the week of this annually, both in oxidised and lecture at an international nitro- reduced forms, results from gen conference in Edinburgh. In human activities. The human Europe, the amounts of Nr influence on the global nitrogen emitted to the atmosphere and cycle is substantially greater than returned in rain and by dry our effects on the global carbon deposition were a few kilos of N cycle, yet is not widely known; a per hectare annually before the point of some discussion follow- Industrial and Agricultural ing the lecture. revolutions. The amounts deposit- The environmental concerns ed throughout Europe are now generated by human-induced larger by an order of magnitude changes in the nitrogen cycle are or more and range from 5 to 50 widespread, including: effects on kg N per ha annually. human health through the We now have monitoring systems presence of particulate matter in in place throughout Europe to the atmosphere and tropospheric quantify the concentrations and ozone; biodiversity changes fluxes of nitrogen compounds. resulting from nitrogen deposi- The data have been used within tion; climate change through the the European Nitrogen Assess- emission of greenhouse gases ment, to quantify the emission such as nitrous oxide; and the and deposition fluxes and provide photochemical production of

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the basis for an assessment of the emissions are much larger in other effects on human health, ecosys- parts of the world, particularly tems, biodiversity and climate. Asia, which accounts for half of In terms of oxidised nitrogen the nitrogen produced by man globally, there is a growing need (NOx) emissions, Europe contrib- utes 14% of the total global for regulation to be applied at output. Globally, Europe, the US regional and global scales, to and Asia contribute two thirds of solve issues that have a clear the total, with road transport a global reach; taking remedial key contributor. Satellite remote action in Europe represents only a sensing is able to detect many of partial solution. the nitrogen compounds, includ- Ozone is a particular problem, ing ammonia and these data with a hemispheric reach, due to reveal the patterns of nitrogen the relatively long atmospheric concentrations. The method also lifetime of a few weeks, and provides an important new way of allowing emissions from one validating emission inventories. continent to influence others. The spatial distribution maps of Ozone is a damaging pollutant nitrogen deposition reveal the and climate change gas. Although huge differences between 1900 peak values have declined due to and 2000. Hotspots can clearly be regulatory action, mean values seen across most of North have increased. At the beginning America, Western Europe, India of the last century, surface ozone and China in the northern concentrations were at the 10 ppb hemisphere and in Brazil in the level, but in many parts of the south. The sources and fate of northern mid-latitudes the

NOx emissions are clear in these concentrations are now closer to

maps. The sources of NOx emis- 40ppb. The effects of ozone sions include road transport include premature deaths, an (30%), with industrial processes increase in hospital respiratory contributing the second-largest days, restricted activity in young amounts (16.9%). adults with respiratory problems Is Europe producing more and billions of pounds worth of nitrogen than its fair share? crop loss. The effects of climate Although it has only one tenth of change on ozone seem likely to the global population, the make matters worse, with decreas- continent is responsible for 20% es in ozone values over oceans but of the global nitrogen budget. increases over land, especially in However, it is at least covered by a the heavily-populated regions regulatory framework aimed at over the coming few decades. reducing nitrogen emissions. As These climate change effects will erode benefits from any reduc-

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tions achieved so far. So efficient smogs of the 1950s. But although control will require regulations at we have taken sulphur out of a global scale, as control measures smogs, nitrogen compounds have on European emissions will not increased. Ammonium nitrate has strongly influence the ozone become a very important contribu- advected into Europe in westerly tor to particulate matter in the winds from the Atlantic Ocean. European atmosphere. There are effects on biodiversity Nitrogen also has an important too. Half of the global population role in climate change, but the relies for its food on nitrogen- uncertainties are large and the enhanced agricultural systems. number of mechanisms and the But this is bringing a correspond- complexity are daunting. The ing reduction in semi-natural nitrogen-containing particulate vegetation over large parts of matter cools climate through Europe, through nitrogen deposi- direct effects on the Earth’s tion on semi-natural vegetation. radiation balance and through its Evidence from long-term experi- effect on cloud properties. Also, ments at Rothamsted, in England, the deposited nitrogen enhances dating from the 1850s, shows carbon sequestration through its how the species composition of fertilising effect on forest growth, vegetation has responded to both which reduces the atmospheric experimental treatments and to burden of CO2. Another impor- the changing chemical climate of tant nitrogen-driven effect on the UK over this long time scale. climate is the creation of tropo- Long-term declines in plant spheric ozone through species composition are observed photochemical oxidation of in response to the increasing volatile organic compounds in the nitrogen deposition at Rotham- presence of NO2. sted. When it comes to nitrogen- Measured deposition fields for reduction policies, we know the Europe show that large areas are effects on water quality, biodiver- now exceeding critical loads of sity, acid deposition, air pollution nutrient nitrogen and will contin- and climate change, and consider- ue to do so for many years into able efforts have been made to the future. Likewise, effects on reduce the emissions of oxidised human health are expected to nitrogen to mitigate these effects. continue. Human mortality There is a long way to go, and increases with concentrations of there has been less effective particulate matter in the atmos- action on the emissions of phere. This is not new; thousands reduced nitrogen compounds, of people died in the London notably NH3 from agriculture.

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Politically, it is has proved difficult nitrogen-enhanced food produc- to regulate emissions of ammo- tion, the damage caused by nia, and there are societal excessive nitrogen use is extensive problems across Europe and in terms of biodiversity loss, North America that hinder the human health effects and crop process. Overuse of nitrogen in loss from tropospheric ozone. agriculture is one of the major The European Nitrogen Assess- problems that present political ment provides a synthesis of the difficulties, because of nitrogen’s science and the policy landscape role in promoting crop growth. for Europe in a comprehensive, There are mitigation measures, neutral and accessible form. ranging from improved efficiency This provides a model and a of fertiliser use and better crop challenge for regional assess- management to reducing waste ments elsewhere, especially in the from the livestock industry, but regions with major emissions of there is a substantial gap between fixed nitrogen, in North America current emissions and those and in Asia. Further, a Global required to substantially reduce Nitrogen Assessment should now environmental impacts. be seen as a natural extension of The conclusion we can draw is this process. A global strategy for that human activity has largely nitrogen use would enable an taken control of the Earth’s integrated approach to maximise nitrogen cycle. Although the the benefits of the investment in benefits of nitrogen are substan- control measures that have been tial, with half the world’s taken in some regions and would population depending on provide an equitable basis for nitrogen use.

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Dr Peter Millican 23 May 2011 The Significance of David Hume: Scepticism, Science and Superstition Joint Lecture with The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) and supported by the Journal of Scottish Philosophy David Hume’s notorious ‘scepti- vertically downwards because they cism’ has seemed hard to are striving to reach their natural reconcile with his enthusiastic place in the centre of the universe. advocacy of human science. But Above earth we find water, then recent scholarship has revealed a air, then fire, all seeking their strikingly modern and coherent natural place; so air rises through thinker, increasingly honoured as water, and fire through air. Stars arguably the most significant and planets, however, move in philosopher of all time. Peter circles around the Earth, striving Millican presented Hume in this towards the eternal perfection of light, as a scientific revolutionary God; they thus show themselves and a crucial influence on Adam to be made of a quite different, Smith, Darwin, Einstein and a host heavenly, element. Though rock, of recent philosophers. water, air, fire and stars are all He also exhibited for the first time inanimate, they all act with a a new electronic edition of Hume’s purpose which makes how they posthumous masterpiece, the behave intelligible. But in the early Dialogues concerning Natural 17th Century, along came Galileo Religion, whose handwritten with his telescope, refuting pages cunningly encode his still- Aristotle’s theory that the Earth is disputed attitude to religion. (This at the centre, and providing a can be found at quite different explanation of how www.davidhume.org). things behave. To set Hume’s revolutionary One example is the flight of a approach in context, Millican cannonball. According to Aristote- started from Aristotle, whose lian theory, the natural movement science was based on the idea of the ball is downwards towards that the world is intelligible in a the centre of the Earth. So when a particular way. Aristotle thought cannonball is fired from a gun it that the key to understanding keeps going while the impetus is how natural things behave – rocks pushing it; when that impetus as well as animals – was to see dies the ball should fall vertically. them striving to fulfil a particular Galileo pointed out that this isn’t purpose. Things made of earth fall so: the ball descends with a

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parabolic curve, similar to when it the calculation of impacts and ascended. Or take a sledge being forces (especially when later pushed on flat ice. When the refined by Newton and others) sledge stops being pushed it provided predictability in a way keeps going horizontally, even that Aristotle’s theory never could. though its natural movement is Intelligibility was very important supposedly downwards. Why? for philosophers in both the Aristotelians tried to invent ancient and early modern periods, explanations like vortices in the confirming man’s distinctive place air, pushing it along, but Galileo in a rationally ordered universe. replaced this with an account in Unlike the rest of animal creation, terms of inertia. He said things man has the power of reason, a just carry on in the same direction reflection of God’s own reason. and speed unless they are acted Man can understand his universe upon by some force: so what and see the patterns in it, reveal- needs explaining is why the ing God’s existence and divine sledge stops (due to friction) not ordering. For philosophers such as why it keeps going. Whereas Descartes, Newton and Leibniz, Aristotelian science tried to the paradigm of human under- explain the behaviour of physical standing – the nearest we can get things in terms of their striving to to God’s understanding – comes reach an end point or to achieve through mathematics and its some purpose, in the new science application to the physical world, the outcome depends on where which was proving increasingly the causal sequence of inertial fruitful in the 17th Century. movement and forces happens to Another important aspect of lead. Consider one billiard ball intelligibility was the defence it bashing into another: their seemed to provide against movement is not to be explained materialism. Here the villain of the as involving anything like a desire; piece was Thomas Hobbes, known instead, it’s explained in terms of as the Monster of Malmesbury inertia and forces acting. Inert and bogey man of the period. He matter is being pushed around contended that the only things rather than being driven internally existing in the universe are by its own purposes. material – including man and (if Galileo’s science still aspired to such exists) God Himself. As Dr intelligibility, but in a different Millican explained, this was way from Aristotle’s. One object “pretty unsettling”. If man is pushing into another and com- merely material, but dead bodies municating its motion seems to rot, then the immortality of the make good sense to us; moreover soul looks very implausible, and

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so Hobbes’s theory robbed central to the basis of Locke’s and Clarke’s religious doctrines of any plausi- arguments for the existence of ble basis. It is perhaps no surprise God and against Hobbes. that Hobbes was widely pilloried. One of Hume’s most central In 1666, Parliament debated achievements was to show that whether the great plague and fire the ideal of intelligibility – as of London might be God’s sought in their different ways by punishment for his public ‘athe- philosophers both ancient and ism’. And in Oxford – his own modern – was an unattainable university – his books were burnt illusion. His famous argument in 1683 for advancing ‘damnable concerning induction (in Section 4 doctrines, false, seditious and of his Enquiry of 1748) took the impious’. familiar example of two billiard The main argument used against balls colliding, and showed that Hobbes was precisely the intelligi- even in a simple case like this, we bility of matter. By understanding don’t really have any genuine matter in the way that Galileo did, understanding of why the objects as something that is pushed behave as they do. We can around, that is inert and doesn’t observe their behaviour, and find have active powers of its own, we mathematical patterns within it, can see clearly that materialism codified as what we call ‘laws of must be false. For we do have motion’ (such as those worked active powers: we are conscious out by Newton). But we cannot and able to think. Mere matter, aspire to understand why the inactive and inert, obviously ultimate laws that govern these cannot think – hence we cannot things are as they are, and when be mere matter, and immortality is we make scientific inferences defended. A host of philosophers about the future behaviour of used this sort of argument against objects, we just have to take for Hobbes in the late 17th Century, granted – since we cannot prove – leading up to John Locke and the ‘inductive’ assumption that Samuel Clarke. Locke was a major they will indeed continue to act influence on Hume, especially according to the same ‘laws’ that through his empiricism (the view we have observed in the past. that all of our ideas are ultimately Many philosophers since Hume ‘copied’ from sensory experience). have considered it ‘a scandal of But Hume became branded as a philosophy’ that we cannot notorious sceptic – and was apparently give any solid reason deprived of the chance of a whatever to justify our belief in Professorship at Edinburgh – inductive uniformity, but this largely because of his opposition result is now widely accepted and

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provides the basis for much what Hume calls sympathy – contemporary philosophy of which he considers the basis of science. human morality. Rather than appealing to any sort This view of man’s place in the of ultimate intelligibility, Hume natural world had an influence on concludes that what makes us Charles Darwin, who read a lot of reason inductively – in both Hume’s books at exactly the time science and everyday life – is habit, in the late 1830s when he was or what he calls custom, meaning working on the theory of evolu- our natural tendency to assume tion. He later described that that things will go on in the same period as giving him ‘at last … a way as in the past. ‘Custom’, he theory by which to work’, and says, ‘is the great guide of human there is a note from 1839 in life. It is that principle alone, which he refers specifically to which renders our experience Hume’s discussion of the reason useful to us, and makes us expect, of animals. He also mentions for the future, a similar train of Hume on scepticism and the events with those which have origins of religion, and there are appeared in the past.’ It follows further signs of influence in The that human reason is only Origin of Species of 1859, in the different in degree from that of form of passages that seem to other animals, for they too learn echo ideas and phrases from from experience through custom. Hume. Neither they nor we have any Although Hume denies that we ultimate insight into why things can achieve ultimate understand- act according to the laws they do; ing of the world, and he sees our but we are cleverer at identifying, discovery of natural laws as based codifying and working out the fundamentally on a brute assump- implications of the apparent laws tion of uniformity, this does not that we observe operating. This mean that he is anti-scientific. On view of humans as essentially the contrary, he is a great advocate clever animals (rather than of inductive science and basing imperfect angels or pure intellects) our predictions on experience. runs through much of Hume’s Indeed, since we cannot achieve philosophy, including his moral insight into the world by pure theory which is built on natural reason, learning from experience human feeling rather than on has to be the touchstone of rational insight. When we see rational science. The force of his someone suffer, we share their position is much easier for us to suffering; when they are happy, appreciate in the wake of Quan- we are happy too. It is empathy – tum Mechanics and Relativity

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Theory, than it was in the 18th Religion (described by Millican as Century, when philosophers (such ‘the funniest great work of as Immanuel Kant) imagined that philosophy ever written’) is also Newtonian physics should be presented in coordinated text and provable by metaphysical reason- manuscript versions, thanks to the ing. Dr Millican gave a computer Royal Society of Edinburgh and simulation of the famous ‘Two-Slit the National Library of Scotland, Experiment’ to illustrate the who kindly provided high-quality weirdness of Quantum Mechan- images of Hume’s original ics. Nobody would be tempted to handwritten sheets. The Dia- suppose that this theory could be logues was not published during arrived at by armchair metaphys- Hume’s lifetime as he realised that ics: physicists were forced towards it would be very controversial, so it by experiment and observation, he left the manuscript to Adam as Hume’s view of science would Smith with the proviso that after imply. Einstein himself praised two years, if not yet published, it Hume and said that his own study should go to his nephew – also of the 1739 Treatise ‘decisively named David Hume – whose duty furthered’ his development of the in publishing it as the last wish of Theory of Relativity (apparently by his uncle would be entirely above encouraging him to reconsider reproach. David Hume the the supposed absolute character younger accordingly published of time, and how this is manifest- the Dialogues in 1779, and it is ed in experience). This illustrates this published version which is how Hume’s thought retains its shown in the website alongside power over the centuries, and still the manuscript images. Dr has a great deal to teach us. Millican gave examples to show Dr Millican ended his lecture by how Hume’s handwritten inser- unveiling the new website at tions and crossings out – www.davidhume.org which including one made on his displays all of Hume’s great deathbed in 1776 – can be of philosophical works, authorita- particular significance, holding tively edited and faithful to their clues to future readers on how to original form (even using an 18th- interpret Hume’s final thoughts Century-style font). Hume’s on religion. Dialogues concerning Natural

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Professor Tom Devine 26 May 2011 The Lowland Clearances and the Transformation of Southwest Scotland Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

The Clearances are always associ- been further embellished through ated in Scottish traditional song the attention of literature, and story with the Highlands. including works such as Iain Modern research has challenged Crichton Smith’s ‘Consider the that assumption by demonstrat- Lilies’ and more recently Kathleen ing the extent of removals Fidler’s influential work, ‘The elsewhere in Scotland. This lecture Desperate Journey’ which is often demonstrated the scale of taught in primary schools. dispossession of people in one Professor Devine asserted that the Lowland region, explained how it person most responsible for transformed the way of life in the ‘driving home’ the Highland southwest forever and suggested Clearances into the heart of the why the are Scottish intellectual and cultural remembered yet the Lowland agenda was John Prebble. His Clearances are forgotten. books, ‘Glencoe’, ‘Culloden’ and The Highland Clearances are an ‘The Highland Clearances’, iconographic theme in the history forming the ‘Fire and Sword of Scotland. This period of history Trilogy’ argued implicitly and generates a huge appeal and explicitly that in addition to interest largely because it is a emptying the Scottish glens of human story of remarkable tragic people, the Highland Clearances intensity that goes to the heart of also caused the destruction of a human experience in terms of culture. “It is only recently that suffering, adventure and the loss Prebble’s notion of Scotland in the of home. 18th and 19th century as the history of victimhood and tragedy Professor Devine stated that has been paralleled by an expan- American Scots overwhelmingly sion of literature portraying the believe their ancestors left Scot as the imperial warrior and Scotland because of the Highland adventurer”. Clearances, even if these ancestors come from non-Highland areas. Professor Devine read from two The extraordinary mythical appeal short texts describing the Clear- of the Highland Clearances has ances. On first hearing these excerpts they are reminiscent of

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many texts portraying these also a human variable in this desperate times, however, these period of change which is some- texts were not written about the times overlooked by history in Highland Clearances rather they favour of concentrating on the reflect the Clearances sweeping technological advances of the through the Lowlands of Scotland time rather than the aspects of two generations prior to the social change. Estate papers from intensification of the Highland the mid eighteenth Century show Clearances. Professor Devine that agricultural tenants were in considered these texts and others sharp decline at this time. Indeed like them as “metaphorical the Buccleuch Archive in south- memorials to us that we can no west Scotland shows a decline of longer talk about loss of land, we 50–70 % over a period of 40 can no longer talk about depopu- years. lation by coercive means, we can Professor Devine stated that the no longer talk about the turbu- substratum of people below those lence caused by agrarian change, paying rent to the landowner are as something uniquely Highland”. of utmost importance when Other records containing evidence discussing the Lowland Clearanc- that the Clearances were not es. These are a ‘phantom people’ solely constrained to the High- who are notoriously difficult to lands include land archives, parish trace in history. The prime sources records and maps from the time, of information about these in particular those created by people are the poll tax records of William Roy and his fellow the 17th and 18th centuries. Poll surveyors in the 1750s that tax at this time was based on the depicted Scotland in a cartograph- ability to pay and from these ic presentation of the population. records historians can deduce an Professor Devine noted that these anatomy of the whole spectrum of sources of data show powerfully rural life in the Old Scotland, from that the south west of Scotland wealthy landowners, through was in the vanguard of rural tenants and servants to the day changes occurring throughout the labourers and lowly ‘cotters’. In country. “There is a great decisive these times the two major break through most of the rural demands for labour in the lowlands in the 1750s when the farming year were peat cutting in rural world we now know of the spring / summer and harvest- trimmed fields, , free- ing in the autumn. standing and isolated farm Tenant farmers needed a reserve steadings, hedgerows and dykes army of short term labour for this come about”. There is, however, and this was provided in the form

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of the cotters. The cotters were particular emotional resonance not paid for their work; instead attached to it. Additionally, the they received small patches of Clearance of the Lowlands leaves land in return for service at no trace of a folk culture of important times of year. Crafts- dispossession or betrayal in men, including blacksmiths and subsequent generations. Profes- weavers, also belonged to the sor Devine noted that “even today cotters class as they needed a the Highland Clearances in some form of social subsistence from parts of the Highlands still the land to keep them going. continue to affect politics and Between one third and one fifth attitudes. The Lowland Clearances of the rural Scottish population are silent and forgotten. Even at prior to 1650 consisted of the the time they attracted very little class and, as such, these are attention and there was very little by and large our ancestors. protest. Subsequent generations’ However, by 1815 no lowland cultural integrity has not been county of Scotland had anything penetrated like in the Highlands. but a tiny remnant of this social There is little evidence of oral tier remaining. tradition handing down a view of Professor Devine purported that vehement and emotionalised there are two prime differences betrayal”. between the Highland and There are, however, similarities to Lowland Clearances. Firstly, other the two Clearances. The loss of than the ‘Levellers Revolt’ in land is common to both and all Galloway in 1723 and their accounts demonstrate that attempt on a large scale to break removal of people from land was down the developing part of the new system of agricul- of the great cattle parks, there are ture. Scottish rural society no other occasions of armed or experienced an extraordinary path mute revolt between the 1750s to economic modernity between and 1830s in the Scottish low- 1750 and 1850. Unlike England, lands. As such, the Clearances in the Scottish experience of indus- the Lowlands were silent and this trial, agricultural and is perhaps one of the reasons why socioeconomic change was they are now not remembered. revolutionary rather than evolu- The phrase ‘Highland Clearance’ tionary; it was a decisive break evokes an automatic and emotive with the past. Professor Devine resonance; however, the phrase commentec that there is “We now ‘Lowland Clearances’ is a histori- know that the rate of urbanisation an’s invention to describe a in Scotland in the late 18th particular process, there is no century was the fastest in Europe.

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It was the most traumatic in ambition and competitive instincts Europe until forced soviet indus- of the individual”. trialisation in the 1920s and, Also common to both regions is therefore, there were massive the impact of emigration. Wig- pressures on food production due town County’s private census of to the huge market demand from the 1750s compared with nation- those living in towns and cities al 1801 census shows that and involved in manufacturing population fell at the same time and industry. The subsistence as the national population of economies of Highland and Scotland was growing. Professor Lowland Scotland were prized Devine asserted that the only open by market demand. This was explanation for population the same throughout the nation”. stability or decline is migration or The impact of ideology and the emigration as there is no evidence was also that the people did not want to an experience shared throughout produce offspring. the nation. Ideas can be regarded There are also strong differences as much more potent than between the Clearances in the economic forces. The way the Highlands and the lowlands. By mindset changes from one set of 1700 in Lowland Scotland there aspirations and perspectives to was a degree of social stability, the another is very important. By last fortified house in Lowland 1800 it was commonplace at Scotland was built in 1660 and landlord and factorial social levels the Border Reivers were now a to think change was good and memory. Lowland estate leases of nature was not pre-ordained but this time were exclusively econom- could be changed for the better ic in nature. These leases were through human intervention. usually valid for a period of 9 to Professor Devine, likening the 11 years and tenants were largely field systems of southern Scotland secure for the period of lease and to Edinburgh’s New Town sug- had no military obligations gested that this is evident in the attached to these. Loss of land symmetrical landscape of lowland tenancy became part of the Scotland. “This enlightened normal leasing and releasing of ideology particularly practised farms. Additionally, not all leases individualism and the old commu- came up for renewal at the same nity husbandry employed from time and, therefore, when it medieval times to the early 18th became obvious leases would not century was regarded as positively be renewed this happened over harmful not only economically but time rather than en masse. Most also morally as it constrained the lowland tenants, therefore,

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accepted this as the ‘deal’ with the benevolence and paternalism then landowner. In the Highlands, Clearance is inevitable”. however, there was still a military What happened to cotters of the requirement attached to leases lowlands? There is a common until the mid 18th century, belief that they moved to the meaning that in return for land expanding cities. Professor Devine and succour in hard times, the believes that this is not the case. family will provide armed service Alongside new structures of when required. Professor Devine agriculture sprang up an extraor- described a ‘neo-clanship’ that dinary expansion of small scale was formed after 1760 whereby urbanism in the form of hamlets the landowners, acting as military and planned villages; by 1750 entrepreneurs, provided young there were 91 such settlements in men from their estates for the Dumfries and Galloway, many of Highland regiment in return for which are still in existence today. payment and patronage. Whole Professor Devine purported that parishes were stripped of young the cotters lived on under a men, many of whom never different nomenclature and were returned. There is a perception retained, not on farms, but that when promises were broken relocated to villages and em- in peace time a ‘bond’ was broken ployed in other rural crafts and between the landowners and the used as labour for busy periods. people and this caused an This, therefore, was not expulsion emotional reaction in the High- of the Highland variety but lands. relocation rather than Lowland In most parts of Scotland, mixed Clearance. William Cobbett, farming of grain and animal writing in 1832, said of the husbandry had developed by Lothians region, “everything here 1760. This was a labour intensive is abundant but people who have style of farming and to develop been studiously swept from the this commercially there was a land”. We are now beginning to need to invest in roads, steadings realise where these people went. and enclosures. Contrary to this, There are also dissimilarities in the the Western Highlands and history of the two regional Islands were a zone of pastoral economies. The process of farming, a system which is capital modernity did create pain in and land intensive with limited lowlands but the lowlands did not need for people. Professor Devine experience the Highland’s catas- suggests that “when you have a trophe. Before 1815 the first society where the elites in society phase of Highland Clearances was are interested in profit rather than the creation of the

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system. Crofts, however, were so ty to move abroad supported by small that crofters had to find landlords’ funds. Consequentially extra employment. John Sinclair between 1848 ad 1853 18,000 in 1799 calculated exactly that people from the Hebrides took up crofts only gave subsistence to a this offer and in the two decades certain degree, for the remaining prior to 1861 one third of the 200 days people had to search for 1841 population had left High- non-land employment. After land Scotland. 1815 non-land employment Professor Devine concluded that collapsed. At the same time there “although both clearances was a rising population. Subdivi- involved removal, the Highland sion of land through crofts experience was more draconian anchored people to the land. and lasted until the 1850s Potato cultivation was the biggest whereas in the Lowlands the single yielder of food on limited process of Clearance had largely acreage. The first major harvest stopped by 1810. Highland failure and the partial collapse of society was also still far more the potato crop in 1836 was deferential to their landlords. followed by the Great Highland Society in the mid-nineteenth Famine of 1846 and during this century, especially through the time Clearance once again reared critique of the Liberal Party, was its head. Professor Devine states becoming much less deferential to that no part of the rural lowlands the landed establishment and experienced this, indeed for two indeed was becoming very critical. years following the Famine, The plight of Highland Scotland Lowland charities moved in was used by the hegemonic effectively and kept the people Liberal Party to demonstrate that alive. There was a huge increase landlordism was a barbaric horror in Summons of Removal by the for the . Immedi- early 1850s and this coincided ately a connection was made with the commencement of between the Highland Clearances, compulsory emigration, whereby politics and future resonance”. people were given the opportuni-

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Professor David Ingram 29 May 2011 Fantin-Latour – Flower Painter Extraordinaire Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

Henri Fantin-Latour (1836–1904) struggle to survive. Fantin- painted the most stunning Latour’s ‘big break’ came about pictures of roses and other garden thanks to the artist Whistler, who flowers. In this presentation, introduced Henri to London’s David Ingram took his audience artistic and intellectual society, on a virtual guided tour of Fantin- including the couple Mr & Mrs Latour’s works, interpreting the Edwards. The Edwards, in botany and horticulture of these addition to purchasing many of remarkable creations. Fantin-Latour’s paintings them- Professor Ingram introduced his selves, also praised his work talk by advising the audience that amongst their society friends, many of the paintings he would helping him develop a base of be discussing were currently on patrons and eventually becoming display in an exhibition at The his agents in England. This, Bowes Museum, County Durham. obviously, was not without The Bowes Museum was the gift financial benefit to them. of John Bowes, the illegitimate Henri Fantin-Latour met and son of the 10th Earl of Strath- married Victoria Dubourg, herself more, and his wife Josephine, a a talented artist. As part of her Parisian showgirl, to the people of dowry, Victoria was given a family County Durham. Between them home in Buré, Normandy. The they gathered together an garden of this cottage was filled amazing collection of art and with an abundance of flowers, decorative objects. inspiring Fantin-Latour to create Henri Fantin-Latour was born in endless floral compositions. Grenoble, France, in 1836 and Professor Ingram presented and was to become one of the finest described images of a selection of 19th-Century non-impressionistic Fantin-Latour’s paintings to the painters of flowers. Originally, his audience, identifying many of the paintings were not particularly plants therein and explaining their revered or liked by French society significance. and, like many an artist, he had Fruit & Flowers, 1866 – Professor difficult times where life was a Ingram describes this as an

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“impossible painting”, referring to the late eighteenth century. the paradox of the spring flower Napoleon’s wife, Josephine selection positioned next to Bonaparte, had a massive collec- autumn fruits which were, in fact, tion of Peonies at her Malmaison models. Fantin-Latour used the residence in France, resulting in a same model fruits in a variety of flurry of obsession amongst the paintings next to flowers from people for the flowers. The Peony differing seasons. The painting was at the height of fashion when also includes depictions of Fantin-Latour painted this image. Narcissus, an 18th-Century plant White Lilies, Branche de Lys, 1877 originating in the Mediterranean; – This painting particularly shows Spanish bluebells and wallflowers how good Fantin-Latour was at from northern Europe. painting flowers. The six stamens Still Life with Pansies & Daisies, and anthers are very defined and 1880 – these flowers were taken are painted so one can clearly see from the garden in Normandy. that the anthers articulate. The Professor Ingram explained how image also shows that yellow the word ‘pansies’ originates from pollen has slipped down and the French word ‘pensée, meaning stained the petals. The purple thoughtful, reflecting the face of streaking on the depiction of the the flower. Pansies started life in lily makes it seem even whiter. early 19th-Century in England by Larkspur, 1892 – Professor Ingram crossing two common violets; describes this painting as having a Heartsease and a mid European sinister feel to it. The image violet. They were originally pure depicts larkspur, one of the most in colour. By 1838 there were poisonous plants. The painting over 400 different varieties of uses lots of colour and clearly pure coloured pansies in exist- shows the double flowers on the ence. At the time Fantin-Latour plant. The use of the whites and created this painting pansies were blues mute out the softness of the still relatively new plants. pinks and give a cold, hard look to Peonies 1877 – Professor Ingram the painting. suggests that the flowers in this Nasturtiums, 1880 – This painting painting probably originated from depicts the nasturtium variety a florist. The word Peony is Tropaeolum majus rising up from named after the Greek god of the bottom of the page. Nasturti- medicine and healing, Paeon. It is ums were originally imported appropriately named as for many from Peru and many early bota- years it has been used as a nists named plants in accordance medicinal plant. The original with similar scents from already Peony plants came from China in

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named species. The nasturtium, Professor Ingram described how, as such, meaning ‘twisted nose’ working with rose expert Peter was named after another plant in Beale, he managed to identify the cabbage family which had a many of the roses in Fantin- similar peppery taste and smell. Latour’s paintings for the first At a later date it was decided that time. These include the Maiden’s this classification was incorrect Blush rose in Pink Roses, 1875 and the name Tropaeolum and the Jacobite rose in White meaning trophy or shield and Roses, 1875. Both of these helmet, was afforded to the plant. flowers are included in the Alba Professor Ingram pointed out that rose’s classification which all date the plants in this painting are all back to before the 15th Century. clones with double heads and the Many of the roses depicted in only way to reproduce them is by Fantin-Latour’s paintings can still taking cuttings. be purchased and grown today. Capucines, 1887 – These flowers Pink and Yellow Roses, 1875 – were taken from the garden in The roses painted in this image Normandy and have a fresh look, are past their best and gently “like they don’t want to be fading. The roses include Crepus- captured”. These nasturtiums are cule, Gloire de Dijon and reproduced by seed and show no Hermosa. Crepuscule is a Noisette uniformity or clones. Their colour rose deriving from a chance cross is very bright and at dawn and in America which produced a new dusk, like with many flowers, this strain of good climbers with a is even more intensified. Professor heavy scent. Gloire de Dijon is a Ingram describes the colour as delicate tea rose from the late “baffling the eye”. The glass vase 18th Century often used in in which they are depicted was a breeding as it has a pointed gift from Mrs Edwards and was shape. Tea roses are so named as designed by Gertrude Jekyll. they smelt of tea from the tea Of all the botanical images Henri clippers. The painting also shows Fantin-Latour created, his most Hermosa, a rose originating from praised are those which depict china giving a good scent and an roses. Indeed the Centiflora rose element of repeat flowering. was produced in his honour in Roses and Larkspur, 1885 – 1900. Many roses are very Professor Ingram described how difficult to identify from paintings this painting was representative of as often information such as their many by Fantin-Latour as, due to scent, leaf detail and extent of their value, they were cut in half thorn detail is difficult to ascertain by unscrupulous dealers and sold from a two-dimensional image. for twice their price. Thankfully

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this image has been restored and Including a Bourbon rose; and the two halves reunited. phlox, the flame flower with a Rosy Wealth of June, 1886 – This ‘snuffy’ pungent scent. painting seems to include the Professor Ingram also included a whole garden of Buré. The scent painting of roses by Victoria in the room at the time of paint- Dubourg. Her paintings were not ing must have been as monetarily valuable as those by overwhelming. The delphinium her husband and, as such, dealers was grown in France for many regularly erased her name from years and new varieties from her paintings replacing it with Russia and North America that of Fantin-Latour. In later strengthened the existing ones. years Victoria Dubourg made The Amaryllis Belladonna, an old catalogues of all the paintings she French garden plant, has a rich and Henri created so that future fruity smell. Dahlia hybrids were generations would know which brought across from South belonged to each painter. America in the later 18th century Fantin-Latour died in Normandy in and by the mid 19th century were 1904 of Lyme Disease. He is very popular in France. Other buried in the Montparnasse flowers in the painting include, Cemetery in Paris, France. larkspur; begonia; six roses.

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Professor Tim Byers 6 June 2011 Preventing Cancers of the Breast and Colon by How We Choose to Live Every Day In association with the Scottish Cancer Foundation Supported by the Cruden Foundation

Small changes made to our day- rather than to lower incidence. to-day lives can reduce our There are a number of risk factors, chances of getting cancers of the including age, menstrual history breast and colon, said epidemiol- (the earlier you start and later you ogist Professor Tim Byers. The stop menstruating, the greater the evidence is there to show that risk); pregnancy history, including losing even a modest amount of number of children and age at weight, making better dietary first pregnancy; an inherited choices and doing a little exercise genotype and exogenous hor- helps. mones – such as those in HRT There is no one “cause” of cancer, (hormone replacement therapy). said Professor Byers. Much like a Nutrition is also an important car accident, various factors – such factor, however, accounting for as the state of the car, road some 40 per cent of risk. (environment), the driver or Obesity and alcohol are both individual, or even bad luck – can associated with higher risk of contribute. Our genes – those that breast cancer, while physical we are born with and mutations activity is associated with lower throughout life – are implicated, risk. Height is also a risk factor but so are other things, including (with taller women more at risk) the choices we make about diet which suggests that early nutri- and behaviours. tional behaviour might be Professor Byers looked in detail at implicated. The probable reasons two cancers that are common in or mechanisms for these associa- Scotland: colorectal cancer and tions are oestrogens (hormones), cancer of the breast. In particular, inflammation and early life he discussed risk factors and growth factors. The overall prevention strategies. Breast message, however, is that the cancer accounts for 28 per cent of fatter you are, the more likely you cancers in women. Survival rates are to get breast cancer – and have improved greatly over the although the UK isn’t yet quite as last 20 years, due to better fat as the US, if we try hard we treatments and earlier diagnosis, could catch up, said Professor Byers.

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The World Health Organisation can prevent breast cancer in the estimates that 15–20 per cent of first place, but this has little cancers are caused by obesity and impact on people’s behaviour. This lack of physical activity. Obesity contrasts with the situation after may, he said, be the most impor- someone has been diagnosed tant of all the nutritional factors with cancer, where there have for cancer, affecting many sites been few studies suggesting that and hitting both men and good nutrition prevents recur- women. It is, however, preventable rence, but there is great if we modify our behaviours. motivation – and much commer- A number of players are likely to cial interest – for behaviour be implicated in the relationship change. Recurrence risk for breast between obesity and breast cancer cancer is, however, affected by – certainly oestrogens and obesity, even when survivors are probably factors related to taking Tamoxifen. The risk of inflammation such as cytokines cancer coming back is a third and insulin. Obesity in itself may, higher in those who are obese as Professor Byers put it, be an than in those of normal weight, in “innocent bystander” in all this, all ages and in all tumour types. but he doesn’t think so. Hor- Even a seven per cent weight loss mones are probably implicated in is enough to lower that risk – more way than one – with both modest levels of weight loss can exogenous oestrogen (from HRT) make a difference, he said. and endogenous oestrogen (from Professor Byers described a being obese) being associated number of trials where different with oestrogen receptor-positive interventions were used in breast breast cancers. Oestrogen cancer survivors and the most circulating in the body, regardless striking was where weight loss of the source, increases the risk of was greatest. Other factors – such breast cancer. as a high fruit and veg diet which A number of studies have shown did not result in weight loss – did us that weight loss reduces cancer not reduce (or raise) the risk of the risk. Importantly, this doesn’t need cancer coming back. Other studies to be a huge amount of weight. also suggest that weight loss can Professor Byers said that people reduce the level of inflammatory could be discouraged at the factors in the body, which may thought of losing 80 kilos, and also help prevent recurrence. therefore give up, but that even Alcohol is a tricky one, he said. modest weight loss had an The evidence is that drinking even impact. There is, he said, plenty of moderate amounts increases the evidence that nutritional factors risk of developing breast cancer

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but, equally, drinking one or two the case of processed meats, drinks per day can protect against chemicals from the processing cardiovascular disease. There is no itself. Like breast cancer, inflam- evidence, however, that alcohol mation (eg cytokines, insulin) can reduce the risk of cancer of could well be a mechanism linking any site, although it does increase obesity in colorectal cancer. the risks of several, including Professor Byers discussed in some cancer of the oral cavity, oesopha- detail the impact of physical gus, liver and pancreas and, of activity on cancer risk. It can be course, breast. People have to hard to disentangle the role of weigh up their own individual exercise as, of course, it can help risks and make their choice reduce weight in itself. But it also accordingly, he said. Mammogra- appears to have independent phy – leading to early detection – benefits. In other words, even has also led to a reduction in people who are overweight or mortality of 20–30 per cent, which obese can cut their risk of cancer if shows the value of screening. they take exercise. Importantly this Turning to colorectal cancer, again doesn’t have to involve running he showed that mortality was marathons; even getting off the dropping in Scotland, as with the couch can help, he said. rest of the developed world. The ways to reduce colorectal Colorectal cancer accounts for 12 cancer, then, include exercise, per cent of all cancers in women weight control, reducing red meat and 15 per cent in men. There are and increasing fruit and vegetable known risk factors for colorectal intake, and using preventative cancer: obesity, physical inactivity, drugs such as calcium or aspirin. a diet low in fruit and vegetables and cereals, and high in red Removing adenomas (the polyps meats. Taken together, these which could grow into cancer), is factors account for 40 per cent of also an important preventative risk. measure and reduces mortality. Indeed, screening can reduce People who eat more fruit and mortality by 20–60 per cent. vegetables have less cancer, he said, with risks reduced in cancers Professor Byers concluded by of the lung, bladder, ovary and summing up the main changes others, including colorectal which; if made to day-to-day cancers. Red meats and processed living, lower the risk of getting meats, however, are associated cancer. These are: maintaining a with higher risks of colon cancer, healthy weight throughout life; possibly because of the way they balancing what you eat with are cooked, the iron content or, in exercise; avoiding excessive weight

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gain; and achieving and maintain- On diet, people should watch ing a healthy weight if you are their portion size, eat a variety of currently overweight or obese. fruit and vegetables, choose Physical activity is important – whole grains, limit consumption adults should engage in at least of processed and red meats and, if 30 minutes of moderate or drinking alcohol, do so in moder- vigorous physical activity on at ation. least five days a week, and 45–60 minutes is preferable.

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Sir John Elvidge KCB, FRSE 16 June 2011 Seeing Scotland Afresh – How We Look to a Changing World Michael Shea Memorial Lecture Joint event with International Futures Forum

The former Permanent Secretary of offers to our businesses and the Scottish Government, Sir John universities. Elvidge, reflected on international Perceptions matter, said Sir John, perceptions of Scotland and and it is natural we care about suggests that we should be more what others think of us, as a outward looking – and take people and as a country. If people advantage of our improved image want to visit, live and learn here, in many countries since devolu- do business or invest here, it has a tion... major impact on the national Sir John established right from the economy and on the national start of his lecture that Scotland’s psyche. And the good news is handling of recent constitutional that Scotland is performing very changes is regarded as a great well in international league tables, strength – and is also something including the Anholt-GfK Roper that should never be taken for Nation Brands Index, where granted. While many other Scotland was number 14 in the countries struggle to cope with world in 2010, with an aggregate constitutional change, Scotland score of 59.67, based on the has made the transition to views of 1,000 people in each of devolution without any violence 20 countries, assessing factors or social unrest. Our politicians such as governance, exports and have also managed to govern culture. Reducing our perform- effectively in coalition and as a ance to a single number like that minority government – an out- may seem absurd (like The come deemed unlikely before Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, devolution. where the number 42 is “the Many countries follow very closely answer to Life, the Universe and what is happening in Scotland Everything”) but it means that and Sir John believes that we Scotland is regarded very highly should take a much greater abroad. interest in the countries which Sir John then added: “The ebb take the most interest in us, and and flow of day-to-day events has exploit the opportunities this no demonstrable effect on perceptions.” While people in

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Scotland may be more concerned itself,” said Sir John, creating the with day-to-day events, other stability needed to deliver the countries are more interested in programme. And the most government stability and peaceful remarkable achievement was that constitutional transition, in we also adapted to minority contrast to the difficult experience government. “It would be hard to of regions such as the Balkans, for find a precedent or parallel to example. There is no “automatic this,” Sir John continued. Other immunity” within the UK to the countries don’t necessarily want difficulties of constitutional to emulate Scotland, but they are change, and interested in the process of serves as an example much closer change, and how we have avoided to home of the turbulence this unrest and adapted to the often causes. “unexplored territory” of unex- Violence and social unrest are pected outcomes. “We have used “not just peripheral issues,” Sir a complex political system with John said. Even Spain and considerable skill,” said Sir John, Belgium have their problems who then compared our recent when it comes to cultural and constitutional experience to linguistic identities, while China entering the pole vault when the and India also have to deal with bar is raised to world-record level. problems caused by ethnic, social In view of the considerable and religious diversity. When interest shown in Scotland by other countries look at the UK, countries all over the world, Sir they are more interested in how John suggested we should use it we’re redefining the Union, while in a number of ways: we often seem more concerned 1. Understanding how other with issues such as “fine-tuning countries perceive us would macro-economic policy.” And help us understand ourselves Scotland is an interesting example much better. of stable constitutional transition because the changes have been 2. We should take more interest greater and sometimes even in countries which are interest- surprising – the settlement was ed in us and build on these supposed to be “an insurmounta- positive perceptions by ble obstacle” to one-party rule, forming stronger partnerships but the recent election defied this, with them. and we have had an “orderly 3. Our businesses and universi- infancy” since devolution. ties should also be more “Our experience in adapting to outward-looking. coalition was an achievement in

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4. We should show that this close links with China, making it interest in Scotland is to more receptive to relationships everyone’s mutual advantage with Scottish universities. throughout the UK. The Union also benefits from Sir John also emphasised how improved perceptions of Scotland, important it was to be perceived Sir John said. By embedding an as stable, since this has a major official Scottish presence in our effect on potential investors. embassies in Washington, Beijing According to Sir John, we should and Brussels, we create new also look eastwards and “shift opportunities for everyone and attention more towards our demonstrate how we can work growing relationships in Asia with the Uk Government to our rather than the traditional mutual advantage. diaspora in North America,” in Finally, Sir John said that in order particular to China, whose leaders to “see ourselves as others see take such a strong interest in us,” we should not underestimate Scotland. The close links being how much our stock has risen formed at senior government level round the world, since devolution also open doors for others – e.g. – and how important it is to seize agriculture, academia and busi- the opportunities created by this ness. The Scottish Qualifications improved perception. Authority (SQA) has also formed

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Professor James Murray 27 June 2011 Mathematics in the Real World: From Brain Tumours to Saving Marriages Part of the RSE@ Dunfries and Galloway Programme

Practical mathematical models are form of brain tumour and is one becoming an accepted part of area where mathematical model- most medical and scientific ling has been used in conjunction disciplines. A few of the more with clinical research, through the unlikely applications are justifying enhancement of imaging tech- intertribal warfare, the benefits of niques and highlighting the cannibalism, how the leopard gets inadequacies of current therapies. its spots, estimating life expectan- The particular practical outcomes cy and accurately predicting which are the estimation of life expect- couples will divorce. This lecture ancy for individual patients and by Professor Murray, a former quantifying life extension with pupil of Dumfries Academy, different possible treatments. discussed some of the ‘real world’ Gliomas, Professor Murray noted, applications of mathematics! are diffuse and invasive and make Applied mathematics has a up around half all primary brain fundamental importance in tumours. The cancer cells migrate biological, medical and social more rapidly in white matter sciences and, indeed, is one of the compared with grey matter. fastest growing disciplines, with Detected by brain scans, overall, the applications increasing in their such tumours are considered diversity. There have, however, unpredictable and all end up been mathematicians in society being fatal. for centuries, albeit that through- There are several treatment out history, there has been some options, including surgical scepticism about their role and removal (resection), chemotherapy conclusions. and radiation. The mathematical Professor Murray identified a few interest is in characterising the leading biomedical scientists from dynamics of tumour growth and history, such as Henri de Mondev- invasion, with the purpose of ille (c1260–1320), Benjamin Rush predicting the likely outcome of (1745–1813) and Henri Poincaré treatment options prior to them (1854–1912). Glioblastomas being applied. In addition to (Gliomas) are the most serious forward life expectancy, a reverse

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estimation can indicate when the technology, scans only detect tumour started and may help tumours at around 40,000 cells / identify the possible causes. One cm3. The significance of this is future use is likely to be in clinical that tumours are well developed studies associated with cell phone before they are even detected, and use and increasing tumour treatments such as surgery incidence. (resectioning) certainly cannot The basic mathematical model to remove all cells, thus making a describe tumour growth and recurrence inevitable. This fact was invasion is: reinforced by some early data that showed the average lifespan of 58 Rate of change of tumour cell patients without resectioning was density = Diffusion (motility) of 32 weeks from detection, whilst tumour cells + Net proliferation of 57 patients who had the treat- tumour cells ment had a slightly longer period Although tumours appear of 39 weeks. In another example, irregular, information gleaned mapping the progression of a from brain scans can be used to tumour, a sub-total resection estimate their volume. The model followed by chemotherapy and shows that the linear ‘diameter’ of radiation extended the patient’s an equivalent sphere of the life by 112 days. tumour is proportional to the time Thus, concluded Professor Murray, from detection multiplied by the mathematics has shown that such square root of the diffusion tumours are not ‘unpredictable’. coefficient (D) multiplied by the In addition to identifying the cancer cell duplication rate (r). appropriate timing for serial Establishing models for this imaging follow-up, the effects purpose have been made more and efficacy of treatments can difficult with the shortage of data now be better quantified, and on the development of ‘high more informed decisions taken. grade’ tumours, particularly where there has been no treatment Changing topic, Professor Murray administered. considered “The Marriage Equation”, described as a practical Professor Murray illustrated how theory for predicting divorce and the model fits some real-case guiding a scientifically-based examples, with actual pictures of marital therapy. With approxi- tumour development from mately one third of marriages detection through to post- ending in divorce within five years mortem, alongside how the and two thirds overall, there are model predicted development. over a million divorces in the Despite the major advances in western world each year. However,

132 Lectures

many do not believe that emo- followed up each year or two by tional issues related to this can be inviting study participants to quantified mathematically, or in complete a questionnaire to any other way. assess their marriage and compare To consider this, a study was set it with the original prediction. The up involving the observation of forecast of those that would couples discussing a topic of divorce was completely accurate, contention such as money, sex, though some that were forecast housing, in-laws, etc. The sessions to remain unhappily married did were recorded on video and then actually divorce, which reduced analysed and scored positive or the divorce predictions to 94% negative on the basis of state- accuracy. ments made and visual Further studies went on to look at expressions. Positive scoring the interaction and influence of attributes include affection, one partner over the other. This humour, joy, validation and identified equations and chart interest, whilst the negative ones types relating to five marriage are contempt, disgust, belliger- types, three of which were ence, defensiveness, anger, deemed stable – volatile, valida- stonewalling, domineering, tors and avoiders – whilst the sadness and whining. The scores more unstable ones were hostiles are independently recorded by a or hostile-detached. More number of observers with a high practically, the slightly expanded degree of consistency. The scores descriptions of these are: for both the husband and wife are • Volatile – romantic, passionate, then plotted against time to have heated arguments with illustrate their discussion graphi- cycles of fights and sex cally. The resultant graph • Validating – calmer, intimate, resembles a ‘Dow Jones’ chart. value companionate marriage, Stable marriages are illustrated by shared experience rather than roughly a 5 to 1 positive to individuality negative ratio, whilst for a high- • Avoiders – avoid confrontation risk couple with an unstable and conflict, interact only in marriage, the positive to negative positive range of their emotions ration will be lower at 0.8 to 1. • Hostile – (mixed) conflict- Reporting a long-term longitudi- avoiding wife, validating husband nal study, 700 couples were • Hostile-Detached – (mixed) interviewed for 15 minutes in volatile husband, validating wife 1992 and classified as likely to In addition to how the partners divorce or stay married either interact, important constants unhappily or happily. This was within the equations are the

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uninfluenced starting states, i.e., positive as a result. In summing whether the husband and/or wife up what mathematics has brought are initially generally positive or to the understanding of relation- negative. At least one uninflu- ships. Professor Murray noted that enced state needs to be positive it has given us a new means and for a marriage to survive. Another language to characterise marital important factor is described as interaction and social influence. the ‘inertia parameter’, which When quantifying the subjective, reflects how readily each is the size and sign of the parame- influenced by the other. Over the ters within the equation derived course of a discussion, a stable from the discussion and the couple will move together to a calculated steady states will positive steady state, whereas a suggest stability, divorce or couple heading for divorce will specific clinical “repair” scenarios. end up in the negative quadrant. This latter is brought about from Where one of the couple is in the discussing the results and predict- positive state and the other ed outcome with the couple and negative, there is a possibility that then offering counselling thera- therapy could yield a beneficial pies to address the anticipated outcome. In one such case, issues. This approach was intro- following it through, post-therapy duced in 1998, with the results showed both partners being more proving very encouraging.

134 Lectures

Professor Wade Allison 05 September 2011 Radiation and Reason: Straight and Open Thinking about Choosing Nuclear: Nuclear Enlightenment?

Although radiation in a massive depend on the weather and is dose may kill us, its use in medi- possible 24/7. The technology is cine shows that humans can safe (only 50 deaths in 50 years, tolerate much higher levels than following the Chernobyl accident), official safety regulations suggest. is available and known (unlike Professor Wade Allison explained carbon capture and storage), and how we have exaggerated the has little impact in terms of its dangers of radiation and suggest- footprint (unlike wind farms). The ed that the challenge today is to only downside seems to be “educate, invest and legislate for people’s fear about its impact on a new prosperity that includes health. This fear of radiation has nuclear technology.” arisen from: Professor Allison began by 1. perceptions of a nuclear quoting Adam Smith, who said holocaust, a concern empha- that science was ”the great sised in the Cold War; antidote to the poison of enthusi- 2. the fact that radiation is asm and superstition,” and invisible; suggested that popular attitudes to nuclear energy and radiation 3. safety regulations which warn also need such treatment. of dangers; 4. the idea that only ‘boffins’ can Rising CO2 levels suggest that fossil fuels are a dangerous understand it. energy source, he said, but Professor Allison explained that, nuclear power is arguably the best although we are not aware of it, option available, along with the cells in our body can sense contributions from renewables. radiation and take evasive action Nuclear produces a million times to repair the damage. Fear of more energy and less waste than radiation is tied up with our fossil fuels. The fuel required for modern obsession with safety and nuclear is plentiful in many risk. The only certainty in life is different regions of the world and that we will all die. Putting its use has no effect on the different risks in perspective, one climate. Generation does not in three people die of heart

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disease, one in seven die of a certain extent, especially when cancer, one in 67 will commit we are younger and our immune suicide. Taking this further, systems stronger. lightning (1:30,000) is more likely A PET scan exposes us to a single to kill you than the chances of dose of about 10 millisieverts dying when the bombs hit (mSv) and the radiation is gone Hiroshima and Nagasaki from our bodies in approximately (1:40,000) or death caused by two hours, due to decay and radiation at Chernobyl (1:150 excretion. Allison even showed a million). Japanese advertisement for PET/CT “What is the effect of radiation on screening, which would expose life?” he then asked. In fact how you to a dose of 15mSv. After the dangerous is it? This is the only recent accident at Fukushima, the important question and the authorities banned meat giving a answer should determine, at a dose of 0.008mSv per kilogram national level, all considerations eaten, but Allison pointed out of safety, risk assessment, waste that you would have to eat two disposal and therefore public tonnes of “dangerous” meat over acceptance. Internationally, it four months to incur the same should determine reactions to dose as the advertised screening nuclear terrorism, rogue states, scan. After Chernobyl, he said, dirty bombs and nuclear black- health authorities admitted that mail. the widespread destruction of To understand the dangers posed meat was unnecessary, expensive, to health, we need data that we and caused great hardship – an trust – and one area where many over-reaction now repeated in of us have experience of radiation Japan. is in clinical medicine – for Radiation can be fatal in doses so example PET and CT scans. To large that the cells in the body make sense of such data we need stop reproducing (Acute Radiation to understand how radiation Syndrome). Most of those exposure is measured – as a single workers at Chernobyl who were dose or as a dose rate (exposure exposed to doses above 4,000mSv per day). Risks are not always in died (27 out of 42), but no-one proportion, Allison explained – died due to exposure of less than 100 paracetamol tablets can be 2,000mSv (out of 140). “But fatal if taken all at once, but our many people in this room have bodies can easily cope with two had much higher doses than that tablets every eight hours for a if they have had a course of month. And it’s the same with radiotherapy,” Allison added. To radiation – our bodies can cope to destroy a tumour, we receive a

136 Lectures

dose of about 2,000mSv, every extra risk. As Allison concluded, if day for 5–6 weeks, with surround- the risk is not measurable, even in ing organs receiving a reduced such an awful, large-scale, lifelong exposure of about 1,000mSv. This “experiment,” it should be seen adds up to more than 20,000mSv as too small to worry about. per month – five times the fatal In the area surrounding Fukushi- level at Chernobyl – but it is ma, the authorities defined relatively safe because our bodies evacuation zones on the basis of can repair almost all of the daily a maximum dose rate of 20mSv damage within a few hours. per year – a thousand times lower But no repairs are perfect and in than the dose to healthy tissue later years, as the immune system accepted in one month during a becomes less effective, cancers course of radiotherapy. Doctors in may appear. Their rate is low and Japan have confirmed the in- radiation-induced cancer is not creased suicide rate and other distinguishable from other symptoms of extreme stress cancers, except statistically. So to caused by the evacuation. This learn about them we need lifetime “socio-economic” surgery, with its studies of large populations psychological and economic subjected to quite high doses. consequences, has a more serious Thanks to the tragedy of Hiroshi- effect than any side effect of ma and Nagasaki, we have such radiotherapy. And a UN report on data – carefully monitored over 50 Chernobyl, published early this years. In 1945, the population of year, confirms that evacuation and Hiroshima was 429,000, of whom fear caused more damage than about 30 per cent died soon after radiation there, too. (In 1986, the bombs exploded, with 66 per medical records confirm that there cent surviving until 1950. Around were nearly 2,000 induced 32,000 survivors (7.5 per cent) abortions in Greece alone, based died of cancer over the next 50 on fears of radiation from Cher- years. Comparing these figures nobyl.) with those for other comparable “The lessons were not learned,” Japanese populations, the extra said Allison. “The errors were cancer deaths caused by radiation repeated.” Spreading fear about amounted to 1,865 (0.5 per cent). radiation acts like a medieval curse The individual doses have been in having a nocebo effect (the measured for a third of the opposite of the placebo effect) – if survivors and the data show that a you tell people they’ve been single dose of 2,000mSv doubles exposed to a health threat, there’s the normal cancer rate, while a good chance they’ll become ill 100mSv carries no measurable

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because of the psychological and the Hiroshima data too, damage this causes. Allison recommends setting the Allison then questioned the safety level at 100mSv per month or regulations currently set for 5,000mSv over a lifetime. “At radiation, suggesting that the Fukushima,” he added, “no-one level of any actual danger is has died as a result of radiation higher by about 1,000 times. To and no-one will.” reassure a public worried about “In the 20th Century,” Allison radiation, the levels have been set concluded, “we were wrong to ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ think of radiation as very danger- (ALARA). He suggested that safety ous. We should now take up the levels should, rather, be set ‘as challenge to educate, invest and high as relatively safe’ (AHARS). legislate for a new prosperity that Using the data from radiotherapy includes nuclear technology.” (with a conservative factor of 200)

138 Lectures

Professor Dr Jacek Purchla 29 September 2011 Nation, Town, Memory – the Kraków Experience: Kraków in the European Core

To mark the Polish Presidency of oldest universities in Europe – the the EU, the RSE was treated to a alma mater of Copernicus. At the lecture on the extraordinary roller- time of the Jagellonian dynasty coaster history of Kraków – once (14th–16th centuries), Kraków “the spiritual capital of a country acted as a bridge between the that did not exist” and now a Roman and Byzantine worlds, as cosmopolitan city at the centre of well as between the Black Sea and a united Europe. the Baltic, and during the Renais- Professor Purchla began by saying sance, it attracted leading how much he felt at home in architects and artists. It was a Edinburgh and how an under- crucible of political and cultural standing of the past is essential to influence, competing with Prague understand the present and and Vienna, and also home to future of both these great cities. many Scottish merchants – the Kraków is right in the centre of second biggest group of foreign- the land mass of Europe and has ers in Kraków. no political function “at the “Political borders change more moment,” unlike Warsaw, but in quickly than cultural borders,” the past the city was the “gateway said Purchla, as he described how for Christian civilisation”, the seat economic and political power of dukes and kings as well as gradually shifted to Warsaw in the bishops – with a cathedral where 17th Century, along with the state funerals and coronations kings (who still returned, however, were held. “Kraków has a special to be buried). Purchla also joked place in Polish mythology,” said that this decline (over the next Purchla. In the 13th Century, its 200 years) was a good thing in regular layout was the model of a some ways: “The best conservator medieval city, and its golden age is often loss of power.” At this came at the turn of the 15th and time, Kraków held on to its 16th centuries, when it was “one cultural status, attracting intellec- of the most dynamic economic tuals from all over Europe, centres in Europe,” a member of including Goethe and Balzac. the Hanseatic League and a The 18th–19th Centuries were cosmopolitan city with one of the turbulent times for the city, which

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became an object of desire for Purchla also joked that “to be Russia, Prussia and the successful in Polish politics, you Hapsburgs, and was made part of must be a martyr,” and confirmed the Duchy of Warsaw by Napoleon this by describing how Pilsudski in 1809. The freedom fighter had been exiled to Siberia by the Tadeusz Koœciuszko led an Russians in his early career. unsuccessful insurrection in the In the years leading up to the town’s main square in 1794, but Second World War, Warsaw was at the Congress of Vienna in established as the modern capital 1815, Kraków was declared a free of an independent Poland, while city (state!), despite being bank- the ancient capital of Kraków rupt, and became the “Mecca” of developed as an academic, Poland or “the spiritual capital of cultural and spiritual centre – and a country that did not exist.” also the city where Pi³sudski was According to Purchla, the city also buried as a national hero. emerged as the smuggling centre of Europe, lying in the “vacuum” In 1939, a “different chapter” between the three dominant began, as the city of 250,000 powers during an era of protec- people was captured by the tionism, and this led to a new age Wehrmacht a few days after the of prosperity. In the 1840s, it was start of the war. Hitler decided to annexed by Austria and became a make Kraków the regional capital military fortress, as part of a deal (“a bombastic huge centre like between the Hapsburgs and the Nuremberg”) and drew up plans Polish aristocracy. After the end of to redesign the city, complete with the Austro-Prussian war in 1866, new statues. After 150 years as Kraków blossomed as a multi- the spiritual capital of Poland, said ethnic, multi-cultural and Purchla, the Nazis decided to academic centre, building the first “change reality and history,” and national museum and a new the Jewish population was theatre. The city was still relatively removed to a ghetto, before being small in terms of population, but sent to the death camps, includ- it still had great spiritual and ing nearby Auschwitz. This was cultural significance for Polish the period depicted in the film people. Schindler’s List, and one of the few survivors was the film director In August 1914, the first Polish Roman Polanski. “Despite the army since the mid-19th Century human losses and the plunder- gathered in Kraków’s “Meadow of ing,” said Purchla, Kraków was Freedom,” led by Józef Pilsudski, the only major Polish city to the future Chief of State and survive relatively intact from the “father of independence.”

140 Lectures

War, “symbolising continuity” for a mass on the Meadow of Polish people. Freedom attended by 1.5 million As the Stalinist era began, Kraków people. In the early 1980s, was perceived by the Soviets as a Solidarity, led by Lech Walesa, also “reactionary” centre which they had a huge impact on Poland, and quickly set about changing by after the Pope was attacked in creating an entirely new “Utopi- 1981, “the human potential was an” city for 100,000 workers, awakened” in Kraków as large complete with huge steelworks – crowds of people displayed their a symbol of Sovietisation. Purchla support and expressed their said this was the cause of the city’s opposition to Soviet rule – “biggest disaster,” with acid rain followed by a crackdown by the eroding the stonework and Polish leader General Jaruzelski, “destroying the heritage” so who “declared war” on his own much that UNESCO described the people. The paradox, according to city in 1978 as “neglected and Purchla, was that it was the polluted” and in urgent need of workers who led the opposition, protection. Not all was bad, not students or academics. And however. During this period, ironically, the statue of Lenin in Kraków was also a centre of Kraków had to be guarded by creativity, where intellectuals and soldiers. artists would gather, including In 1989, the “bloodless revolu- Edinburgh’s Richard Demarco. tion” propelled Kraków into the The next phase in the city’s history modern age and, once again, revolved around Karol Wojtyla, Kraków was recognised as the who later became Pope John Paul spiritual capital of Poland, open to II. Kraków became a battlefield the world and cosmopolitan in between the church and the attitude. Tourism surged, attract- Soviet Union, said Purchla, and ing up to seven million visitors a the Archbishop of Kraków led a year, but the downside, said campaign to build a new church Purchla, was the “coca-cola- in the city – not just a symbol of isation” of Kraków – and also religion but also of national corruption. Purchla also illustrated identity. During the 1960s and the internationalisation of Kraków 1970s, the Roman Catholic by describing how a taxi driver, Church became stronger and an taking him to the airport in umbrella for all sorts of people. Dublin, revealed that he had The new church of Nowa Huta, bought an apartment in Kraków – Bieñczyce Basilica, was opened in surely a sign of the times. 1977, and two years later John Purchla concluded by describing Paul II returned as Pope and held the legacy of John Paul II – the

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“father of independence” in the understanding the Pope’s contri- modern age. When the dying bution. And when he died soon Pope visited Kraków again in afterwards, “Kraków was crying.” 2002, a crowd of 2.5 million Finally, Purchla returned to the people gathered in the Meadow map of Europe, showing Kraków of Freedom – reflecting the at the centre of a now united strength of feeling among Polish Europe, “more connected than people. “It is impossible to ever” to Edinburgh and other understand modern Polish cities. history,” said Purchla, without

142 CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIA AND DISCUSSION FORUMS

Franco-scottish Science Seminar Series: Seven Keys To The Digital Future ...... 144 2nd Norway - Scotland Internal Waves Symposium ...... 150 Conference: The Bell Rock Lighthouse, The Stevensons And Emerging Issues In Aids To Navigation ...... 153 What are Universities For? ...... 158 Assisted Dying: The Debate. A Mock Trial...... 162 Land Use: How Do We Resolve The Never Ending Conflicts? ...... 178 A Healthy Message? Understanding The History And Exploring The Future Of Public Health Campaigns In Scotland ...... 183 Your Genes And Clinical Research: Being More Than A Guinea Pig .... 191 Trident: Should We Keep It? ...... 197 Gardens In Art And Science ...... 205 Whose Heritage, Whose Society? ...... 219 Facing Up To Climate Change ...... 224

143 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Franco-Scottish Science Seminar Series: Seven Keys to the Digital Future 7 October 2010

Professor Gérard Berry — Later, one of the audience ques- Getting rid of bugs? tioned the value of testing Professor Gérard Berry is deter- software to the limit when “the mined to exterminate bugs – and vast majority” of software bugs in his quest for error-free soft- were not mission-critical or even ware, he is interested in many very expensive, but Berry responded by different applications, from flight- saying that certification pays off in control systems for airplanes and the long term, so it is always space probes to programs to “economical to work in better cheat at Sudoku... ways.” Bugs are not just numer- ous but very expensive to fix and The problem with computers, said customers are less tolerant than Berry right at the start of his talk, they used to be when they is the gulf between computers experience failures – even when it and the people who use them. comes to basic applications such While people are clever, rigorous as word processing. and slow at solving problems, computers are superfast, superex- To describe the history of bugs act and superstupid – and this and the scale of the problem, leads to a “titanic fight” between Berry then quoted computing machines and humans. Computer scientist pioneer Maurice Wilkes, science, he explained, was all who said in 1949 that writing a about developing models and program was not quite as easy as theorems to bridge the gap, but people had thought, in terms of in the process “there are bound potential for error. In fact, the to be bugs,” and this is the history of computing is infested problem that dominates comput- with errors, and Berry gave several ing. Bugs are only found in examples: computing, he added, not in · The Zune MP3 bug (2008), other disciplines such as physics, caused by a problem with leap and computers are “the best error years. amplifier ever invented” – some- · The Sony “fat” PS3 bug (March times leading to human as well as 2010), caused by a problem financial disasters. with the clock.

144 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums

· A Patriot missile failure (Dharan, the software between metric 1991) during the Gulf War and imperial measurements which enabled an Iraqi Scud (1999). missile to penetrate allied · The Therac-25 bug (1985 - 87) defences, leading to 28 deaths. led to cancer patients being · A buffer overflow problem given fatal radiation overdoses, (1993) which could be a “killer” attributed to “poor error for peripheral drivers and was management and a bad fix.” also a major headache for · A wireless security flaw which Microsoft, providing an entry enabled hackers to access point for malicious programs personal data on a Pacemaker (i.e. worms) – and providing a (2008) major incentive for verification of programs. After this impressive list of failures, Berry moved on to · The Pentium Floating Point identify the major causes of bugs division bug (1993) which cost – for example, not viewing Intel $475 million. software engineering as a central · A bug which caused AT&T’s activity, using reasoning valid in telephone network to crash for one sphere which may not be ten hours in 1990. valid in software, performing tests · An outage at Facebook (Sep- to verify what should work instead tember 2010), which caused of finding what will not work, and “self-denial” of service. “forgetting to verify verification.” · The explosion of the Ariane 5 The solutions, said Berry, include rocket in 1996 when code the use of the appropriate design originally written for the Ariane tools, making everything visible 4 led to failure. “The code was (“you can see a hole in the wing useless,” said Berry. of a plane but you can’t see a hole in software”), independent · The Pathfinder Mars probe reviews, systematic testing, (1997) which failed because of certification, open-source commu- “task priority inversion” – a nities and simulation using “real solution for which had already targets.” been published but was ignored. Full verification is “very ambi- tious,” he added, because it · The failure of the Spirit Mars means “complete understand- rover (2004) due to a flash ing.” Partial verification, or memory shortage. focusing on the most important · The Mars Orbiter crashed on the properties of a system, can be very surface due to a confusion in helpful when it comes to issues

145 Review of the Session 2010-2011

like safety, he said, but composi- engines are good at checking tional verification (deconstructing applications like communications and reconstructing a system) is protocols, while implicit engines hard to achieve. are good with applications such One of Berry’s specialist areas is as circuit synthesis. “Proving logic avionics and his work at French ought to be impossible,” he company Esterel Technologies, added, and computer scientists developing SCADE, a family of sometimes use “alchemistry” products which helps with the rather than maths. design and development of To illustrate some of his points, mission- and safety-critical Berry talked about verification of embedded software applications – programs written to solve Sudoku for example, aerospace and problems – “taking one second to nuclear energy. Berry also claimed prove it’s not magic but real” – that SCADE can speed up verifica- and quoted the famous Curry- tion from three weeks to only one Head principle which states that day – the kind of results he would “computing is the same thing as like to transfer to the medical proving.” field. To summarise, Berry shared his In avionics, he continued, the shopping list of “bug food” – not software should be certified as paying enough attention to part of the plane, and the compil- software engineering, loose or er at the same level as the plane. ever-changing specifications, poor Traceability is vital, Berry added, documentation, programming from mapping of requirements and verification, and poor code through design and coding to maintenance. His solution was integration. simply to “starve” the bugs, using Berry then discussed the problems the appropriate design processes of verification, including sorting and tools, but even though the and factorial functions, induction ultimate target is no more errors, and “proving termination,” and he also hoped programmers described the formal tools would continue “entertaining us required to identify and eradicate with the bugs that we love.” errors – including languages, The lecture was entitled “Getting static analysis, model checking, rid of bugs?” and Berry was backward and forward analysis careful to point out the impor- and theorem proving. “Proofs in tance of the question mark, maths should be stupid,” he said, because it suggested the quest to and computers are good at that. exterminate bugs was a process With model checking, explicit that would probably go on forever...

146 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums

Professor Chris Bishop FRSE – pinball-like buffers which steer Embracing uncertainty the beads into a row of glass Professor Chris Bishop promised tubes at the bottom. It is almost to make his talk “maths-free” and impossible to predict where any largely succeeded (smuggling in one bead will go, but if you pour only a couple of formulas) – in the thousands of beads in, they process managing to illuminate follow a very clear pattern – several key mathematical and conforming to the laws of computational problems, includ- probability according to what is ing probability, loopy belief and called a “binomial distribution how to make search engines make curve.” lots of money... To gauge the probability of If Professor Berry dealt with repeatable events, there are certainty, Bishop began, then his basically two schools of thought, task was to talk about the oppo- said Bishop: frequentist and site. Computers carry out their Bayesian logic. Frequentism is tasks in what can be decsribed as good for a problem such as “certain” ways, but everyday predicting the flip of a coin, information is all about uncertain- because it deals with the “limit of ty. an infinite number of trials,” so that after a few million flips, you To illustrate this central point, are likely to see heads and tails Bishop used four very different 50:50. But if you introduce a examples: how graphics software complicating factor, such as learns how to recognise different distorting the shape of the coin so elements of photos, how to rank heads are slightly more likely than the members of a chess club, tails and therefore harder to which ad on a web page a predict with any certainty, the browser will click on and how to problem gets harder. This is where understand the complex causes of Bayesian logic comes to the childhood asthma, including rescue, because it takes account of genetic and environmental prior probability then updates the factors. hypothesis in the light of new Many processes may appear relevant data – in other words, to random, said Bishop, but it is also quantify uncertainty, it learns from possible to predict what may seem experience. There has been a unpredictable by using clever “religious war” in statistics, said mathematical tools. Bishop’s Bishop, but he is very much in the “party trick” to prove this is the Bayesian camp, using Bayesian Galton Machine – a kind of methods to develop new commer- mathematical Pachinko, using tiny cial applications. glass beads and a series of

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For example, companies try to (280 billion gigabytes), and this learn what people like and dislike, amount is doubling every 18 using a matrix of products – e.g. months. From 2007 to 2012, we movies – to anticipate what they will have created more informa- are likely to buy. If you like one tion than all the information ever product, you are likely to dislike a created before. This means a very different one, and the more transition in various fields – from data gathered, the more accurate the desktop to cloud computing, the predictions become, despite applications to services, isolated the surprises that sometimes data to fusion of diverse sources emerge. Bishop explained that the and from hand-crafted solutions system used to measure likes and to solutions that are learned (by dislikes does not need to “under- machines). stand” the products involved. It This pressure requires the inven- simply bases its analysis on data tion of new tools to process and from millions of other consumers store all the data, including new to recognise patterns. machine intelligence based on Photographs may not seem good Bayesian learning. This means examples of uncertainty but combining prior knowledge and Bishop proved otherwise by reducing the uncertainty in stages showing how a graphics program by learning and revising the uses Bayesian logic to cut and analysis, then integrating predic- paste a human figure from one tions to “get the whole picture.” landscape to another by analysing The other key solutions will probability – using colour and include probabilistic graphical “prior knowledge” to rub out the models, which factorise probabili- background and highlight the ties into simpler sub-sets, efficient person. “There is more to the inference, which revises predic- world than just data,” he said. tions based on prior knowledge/ Colour information would not be observations, using factorisation enough on its own to recognise to reduce the number of steps and isolate the figure, he ex- required for computation, and plained, but the system can make other techniques such as “local a “refined guess” to understand message passing.” the different elements, using a “smart probabilistic algorithm” to Bishop was driving at one of the see what is what. critical problems faced by comput- ing today – the fact that if you The data revolution, he continued, throw a lot of problems at is gaining momentum. In 2007, computers, they’ll eventually come the world’s computers stored an up with answers, but we don’t estimated 280 exabytes of data have enough computers to solve

148 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums all the problems we have. In other visiting a web site will click on the words, there’s too much data and page. This is important because too many tasks to perform, and although search engines may current methods and systems seem to be free to the user, don’t scale, despite the use of advertisers pay for every click on clever methods such as “Monte their ads by entering auctions. The Carlo distribution.” We need to key problem, said Bishop, is how get smarter – and this means to measure the potential value of using strange-sounding methods an ad (or probability of success) by like “loopy belief propagation.” weighing all the relevant factors Bishop then focused on practical involved, collecting billions of problems to illustrate some of the pieces of data by counting clicks methods required. First, he and non-clicks on specific loca- discussed the problem of ranking tions, then quantifying the members of a chess club – a uncertainty by using Bayesian “noisy” problem because the best logic to compare probability players don’t always win. To versus predicted probability, measure the probability of one eliminating some of the uncer- player beating another, various tainties through methods like factors have to be taken into “exploration trade-off.” account, assigning different Finally, Bishop briefly touched strengths to different players then upon his work in a study of adjusting the rankings based on childhood asthma, gathering the results, using Bayesian logic and multiple factors involved, includ- intelligent methods such as ing prior knowledge, to extract “expectation and deterministic rules and build up a graphical propagation.” Microsoft has used model, like the “expert systems” very similar methods to rank and fashionable a few years ago in matchmake 24 million users of computing – except that the title the Xbox gaming machine, of Bishop’s talk seemed to achieving what Bishop described suggest that the project would as the world’s first “planet-scale embrace uncertainty rather than application of Bayesian methods,” rely on certain-sounding language with Bayesian inference running such as “expert” to describe its in real time. approach to a complex and Turning to search engines, Bishop accelerating problem such as explained adPredictor – a system asthma. used to predict where someone

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2nd Norway - Scotland Internal Waves Symposium 1-2 November 2010

The Society hosted the 2nd with additional funds being Norway - Scotland Internal Waves supplied by The National Telford Symposium on 1-2 November Institute, The Marine Alliance for 2010, under the auspices of the Science & Technology for Scotland bilateral agreement signed in (MASTS), the Research Council of 2005 between the Royal Society Norway and the Universities of of Edinburgh and the Norwegian Dundee (UK) and Oslo (Norway). Academy of Science and Letters Participation was by invitation- (DNVA) to promote increased only, with the primary objective of collaboration between the two bringing together research groups national academies and the in Scotland and Norway (i) to research communities in their consider the present scope of respective countries. The primary internal waves research activity in focus was on the internal waves the individual countries, (ii) to that travel on density interfaces in explore new bi- or multi-lateral the ocean, where the waves collaborative research projects present significant threats to involving Norwegian and Scottish offshore exploration and produc- scientists and (iii) to extend and tion installations and also strengthen existing cross-national constitute an effective agency for collaborations. An important vertical mixing of sediment and consideration was the need to nutrients in the water column. As attract to the symposium the the title of the symposium leading international figures in suggests, the event was a follow- internal wave research, to ensure up to the 1st Norway - Scotland the highest quality level for the Internal Waves Symposium, held event and to promote informed in the DNVA premises in Oslo in discussions of future directions in October 2008 and hosted under the subject. In total, 50 scientists the same agreement. Both events contributed to the symposium, were directed jointly by Professors with 15 Scottish participants (from Peter Davies FRSE (University of the universities of Dundee, St Dundee) and John Grue DNVA Andrews, Edinburgh, Strathclyde (University of Oslo). The symposi- and Aberdeen and the Scottish um received generous core Association for Marine Science support from the RSE and DNVA,

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(SAMS)) and 12 Norwegian Modelling the influence of small- participants (from the universities scale topography upon internal of Oslo and Bergen and the wave generation. A M Davies & J Norwegian Meteorological Xing Institute), as well as leading Internal waves in weakly-stratified, scientists from the UK, USA, sub-arctic Lake Lagarfljót. H Ó Canada, Australia, Sweden, Andradóttir Iceland, the Netherlands, Germa- ny, Chile and China. Seasonal variation of internal solitary waves in a large lake. M B Programme Preusse, F Peeters & H Freistühler Monday 1 November 2010 Evolution and degeneration of nonlinear internal waves in long Generation of the internal tide on narrow basins. L Boegman the Australian North West Shelf. G N Ivey, N L Jones, M D Rayson & C Tuesday 2 November 2010 E Bluteau The generation of internal waves Global modelling of internal tides. in Luzon Strait and their nonlinear S D Griffiths transformation. L Qiang & D M Farmer Internal run-up. J Grue Multimodal structure of baroclinic The run-up of interfacial waves on tides in the South China Sea. N M a plane beach: A Lagrangian Stashchuk & V I Vlasenko approach. P L-F Liu & I-C Chan AUV observations of mixing in the Oblique solitary waves, stationary tidal outflow from a Scottish sea patterns and run-up. G K Peder- loch. T Boyd, M E Inall, E Dumont sen & C Griffiths Mass transport in the Stokes Lee waves and bores: the complex interfacial edge wave. J E H Weber tidal phenomena of the Mid- & E Støylen Atlantic Ridge. A C Dale & M E Initial boundary value problems Inall for the Korteweg-de Vries equa- Atmospheric lee-wave patterns in tion. T R Marchant & N F Smythe the wakes of islands and capes On determining profiles of the revealed by modulations of sea buoyancy frequency. N. T Gerkema surface roughness. B N Gjevik, K-F Dagestad & J A Johannessen Internal hydraulic jumps over coral reefs in the Sea of Hebrides. M E Lee waves: new understanding of Inall & D L Aleynik a classical problem. S B Dalziel, M D Patterson, C P Caulfield & S Le Brun

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Gravity currents in a stratified Numerical simulations of internal ambient fluid. P F Linden solitary wave-induced flow in the Numerical studies of small scale benthic boundary layer. Ø Thiem, eddies in tidal inlets. J Berntsen & M Carr, J Berntsen & P A Davies H Avlesen The effect of rotation on internal Near-bottom instabilities under solitary waves. R H J Grimshaw, K nonlinear internal waves of R Helfrich & E R Johnson depression. P J Diamessis 3D shoaling of large-amplitude Pseudo-spectral simulations of internal solitary waves. V I internal wave-bottom boundary Vlasenko & N M Stashchuk layer interaction. M M Stastna & C Dynamic response of floating Subich structures in incident internal A numerical study of shear- waves. H Q Zhang & J Li induced instabilities in internal solitary waves. M Carr, S E King & D G Dritschel

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Conference The Bell Rock Lighthouse, the Stevensons and Emerging Issues in Aids to Navigation Friday 4 February 2011 In partnership with the Northern Lighthouse Board Supported by Inchcape Shipping Services A full report (ISBN: 978 0 902198 41 8) is available on the RSE website

The Past: Bell Rock and the seaborne traffic had to negotiate Stevensons’ Lighthouses Before the hazards of the notorious the Bell Rock. Dr Alison Morri- Inchcape Reef, the rocks and son-Low, Principal Curator, History islands of the river Forth, and the of Scientific Instruments and shifting sandbanks of the Tay Photography, National Museums estuary. The first lighthouse was Scotland. established in the Forth on the From antiquity there were light- summit of the Isle of May in 1636, houses to be found around the using a coal-burning beacon set European coastline, the most on a two-storey tower. At the famous being one of the Seven mouth of the Tay, a pair of Wonders, the Pharos of Alexan- ‘leading lights’ were set up on the dria, known from Pliny’s north shore in 1687, which, when description and probably dating lined up by an approaching ship’s from the third century BC. There is pilot, would guide the vessel an argument that the tower was safely past the sandbanks there. never lit, being merely a day- The Bell Rock from Ralph the marker of stupendous size to Rover to the 1st Earl of Inch- guide ships crossing the Mediter- cape. Peter Mackay CB, Former ranean into the safety of the Commissioner, Northern Light- harbour; that the tower existed is house Board. certain, as bits of masonry are This conference is benefiting from regularly recovered. in Scotland, generous sponsorship from where the coastline is longer and Inchcape Shipping Services, in much more hazardous, harbour recognition of their debt to James beacons are known to have been Lyle Mackay, the first Lord Inch- established at Leith (1553) and cape. He took his title in 1911 Aberdeen (1566). Most trade was from the Inchcape Rock, as the carried out from the east coast Bell Rock used to be known. So royal burghs, and although what prompted a man who scaled comparatively safe for mariners, the highest eminences of public

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life, had been offered the Viceroy- height and extraordinary exposure ship of India, refused the throne called for a ‘grand’ design which of Albania, and dominated world was achieved by the eminent civil shipping for more than 20 years, engineers John Rennie and Robert to take his first title from an Stevenson under their respective obscure offshore rock – not even Northern Lighthouse Board in British territorial waters – some appointments of December 1806 12 miles from his birthplace? As a as Chief Engineer and assistant or boy in Arbroath, where he was resident engineer (for executing born in 1852, he had been the work under his superintend- exposed to the legends and ence). history surrounding the Rock, and The Stevensons in New Zea- to the constant wonder in his land. Helen Beaglehole, Author of home town of the Light‘s flashing Lighting the Coast: A History of presence on the horizon. First: The New Zealand’s Coastal Lighthouse Legend. Ralph the Rover, the System eponymous (pirate) hero of Robert Southey‘s poem, first appears on Shipping has always underpinned the scene in a 16th-Century New Zealand’s development. Yet account, although if he lived at all even today the country’s isolation, it must have been much earlier, in its inhospitable coastline, treach- pre-Reformation times. erous barred harbours and unseasonal gales can mean A Grand Design – Creation of making landfall or traversing the the Bell Rock Lighthouse 1807– coast a precarious enterprise. 1811. Professor Roland Paxton Today’s mariners have an array of MBE FRSE, School of the Built navigational aids. In the early days Environment, Heriot-Watt Univer- of the colony, what navigational sity, Institution of Civil Engineers’ aids there were, were rudimentary Panel for Historical Engineering and unreliable; constitutional Works. issues and lack of finance bedevil- The Bell Rock Lighthouse, Scot- led proposals for lighthouse land, off Arbroath, ranks as one of construction. the seven wonders of the industri- However, by the early 1860s, two al world and is the world’s oldest of the provincial governments had sea-washed rock lighthouse in each built a lighthouse and two continuous service. It was built in others had their own installations stone between 1807 and 1811, is underway. Central government, 36 m (118 ft) high, sits 11 miles clawing back control, established out to sea on a rock surface up to a Marine Board. This, responsible 5 m (16 ft) below high water and for coastal lighthouse construc- cost £61,331. The lighthouse’s

154 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums tion and maintenance, took over refracting rings lying horizontally the provincial initiatives. In 1863 (fixed light). the Otago Provincial Council Remembering Lighthouses. appointed James Balfour as its Virginia Mayes-Wright, Director, marine engineer. He was a Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, member of the Stevenson family, Fraserburgh. trained, in part, in the family business. He rapidly began to Who we are, our identity, is make his mark. In 1866 he was shaped by our history. As a appointed the country’s colonial population we have become more marine engineer and superintend- mobile, families travel and ent of lighthouses. connections are severed. But this does not mean that we are The History of Lighthouse uninterested in our past. It makes Optics. Julia Elton, Past-President, that past more relevant, giving us Newcomen Society. a narrative to our lives. This Augustin Fresnel is rightly cele- narrative might involve a place to brated as the inventor of the be ‘from’, an industry to have stepped refracting glass lens, been part of, or a tradition to re- which revolutionised lighthouse tell. For those of us who do not optics. He built up his lens in live around older generations of separate pieces, achieving the our families, who do not hear the effect of a solid lens without any stories of ‘our’ past, our desire is problems of thickness, weight or to hunt for and reclaim that past size limit. Furthermore, he was as our own. But why is it impor- able to calculate the form of each tant to remember lighthouses? refracting ring to ensure that the Lighthouses are part of public maximum amount of light was imagination, used for marketing sent out in the desired direction. as symbols of the sea side, a Previously, light was parallelised lonely life and a romantic idyll. into a beam via a metallic parabol- Visitors to The Museum of ic reflector and a number of these, Scottish Lighthouses in Fraser- each with its own lamp, would be burgh often ask whether placed on a framework. Fresnel lighthouses are still operating. placed a single lamp within a cage With these concepts in the of glass lenses and prisms, either general population, and the of octagonal form with panels of increase in interest in family lenses and refracting rings set history, not just tracing ancestors vertically (revolving light), or in a but finding out how they lived, refractor like a jam jar, with a the Museum of Scottish Light- distinctive deep central belt and houses has never had a more important job.

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The Present and the Future: of maintenance heavy generator Modern Aids to Navigation. The equipment. The Board also Northern Lighthouse Board manages over 150 buoys which Today. Roger Lockwood CB, Chief are all solarised. Executive, Northern Lighthouse Training the Modern Submarin- Board. er. Commander Andrew Bower, 234 years after its foundation, the Royal Navy, Commanding Officer Northern Lighthouse Board UK Submarine Command Course. continues to deliver a reliable, The lighthouse may seem an efficient and cost-effective irrelevance to the modern subma- network of aids to navigation for riner. Operating a unit equipped the benefit and safety of all with modern navigation systems, Mariners in the waters off Scot- supported by a high level of land and the Isle of Man. system redundancy, it would Although Robert Stevenson, the appear that a lighthouse would creator of the Bell Rock Light- provide little extra utility. Yet house, and his descendants submarine navigators are extreme- would recognise many of the ly familiar with lighthouses and lighthouses still in use today, they other navigation marks on the would not recognise the light west coast of Scotland. The aim of sources and equipment within this talk was simply to explain why them, ranging from light emitting this is the case. diodes (LEDs) to the automatic Identification system. The provi- The Science of Lighthouse sion of marine Aids to navigation Optics. Professor Andrew C has moved on, and continues to Walker FRSE, Deputy Principal and do so.The Northern Lighthouse Professor of Modern Optics, Board today operates over 200 Heriot-Watt University. lighthouses. They are all automat- The ultimate aim in lighthouse ed and monitored from a single optics is, quite simply, to create as monitor centre in the Board’s bright as possible an image of the Headquarters in Edinburgh and light source on the horizon. To many of them are solarised. achieve this, two requirements Modern light sources, still have to be satisfied: (i) the image coupled in some cases with the needs to be of the correct size, so original Fresnel lenses, ensure that as to concentrate the light into a accurate navigational support is designated area, and (ii) as much given to the mariner, and solarisa- as possible of the light leaving the tion, in addition to being a very source (i.e. from the lamp) needs efficient source of renewable to be captured so as to efficiently energy, has allowed the removal contribute to this image. Because

156 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums the light sources (oil lamps) used how to set their courses by them. by the 19th-Century lighthouse When chronometers brought pioneers were relatively large, the accurate time to mariners world- first requirement translated into wide, skilled navigators could the need to make the image on estimate their latitudes and the horizon as small as they could longitudes, fixing their positions manage. Basic optics tells us that, by clock, sextant and star sight. when a lens (or curved mirror) is Now we have new stars: the man- used to create an image of a light made earth satellites of the global source, the size of that image is positioning system (GPS) move simply proportional to the lens-to- slowly across the heavens, image distance divided by the twinkling with a precision unim- lens-to-source distance. With a aginable to earlier navigators. 20-mile range, a 10-cm lamp can They tell us our location on Earth easily be wasting most of its light with an accuracy of metres and by illuminating the sky above the the time to within a millionth of a horizon as far as 3 km in height. second. These navigation satellites The fraction entering the mariner’s transmit radio signals marked at pupil would then be miniscule. precisely-known instants. By New Stars to Sail By. Professor picking up the transmissions and David Last, Immediate Past- measuring the times of arrival of President, Royal Institute of these markers, a GPS receiver Navigation. determines how long the signals have taken to reach it, travelling at The stars have been guides for the speed of light. That way, it generations of seafarers as they calculates its distance from each explored new worlds. Once sailors satellite and so its own location began to understand the move- on earth. ments of the stars, they learned

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RSE Discussion Supper What are universities for? 28 March 2011

To set the context for this Discus- - introduced major differences in sion Supper, Lord Sutherland of the principles of funding for Houndwood KT FBA FRSE spoke students resident in the about Higher Education in Britain different UK nations over the last 60 years, and Sir - modified, largely through the Colin Lucas spoke about universi- RAE and its associated funding, ties’ current role and how could it the balance of emphasis on evolve. research (more) and on teaching To encourage frank discussion (less) thereafter amongst the 48 invited - sustained the dual support participants, the meeting took system of funding councils and place under Chatham House rules. research councils Hence, the comments noted below are not attributed to - placed heavy emphasis on the specific individuals; nor do they public funding of big science necessarily reflect the views of all and engineering, but posed present, or those of the RSE. recent and substantial ques- tions over the humanities and It was noted that over the last 50 social science years the UK system has: - been used by the government - significantly expanded twice as a means of repelling the and, in so doing, has greatly threat of displacement from increased diversity in the sector globalisation and the knowl- - moved to formulaic funding edge economy. - shifted from a pure public The question “What are universi- benefit to charging significant ties for?”, raised a number of fees for at least some students other questions, including: - moved from catering for a very - What are universities? modest proportion of the - What should the taxpayer population to almost half which expect from universities? has implications for meeting the costs of the system - What kind of university system do we want?

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- What is the current role of national prosperity. The associat- universities and how do we ed priorities for business schools, think this should evolve? links with industry, vocational - Who is the “we” whose wishes training, spin-off companies and should prevail? patents carries the risk of distort- ing the breadth of knowledge and Core functions of universities basic education for which the include the creation and transmis- universities are responsible. sion of knowledge together with However, universities also have a its integration into society. The responsibility to be flexible and aim is for individuals to acquire adaptable in ways that ensure the understanding of the natural they continue to be responsive to and social world, and of ourselves society’s needs. The diverse and the differences among us. nature of institutions suggests it This is necessary for globalisation would be dangerous to over- and the knowledge economy, but generalise how this would be at the individual human level it done. Nonetheless, although they enables citizens to engage in do not form a unified system, rational argument, seek meaning there is a need to agree what they and be sceptical, reflective and have in common and speak as a capable of operating in our sector. There are dangers in interconnected world. Further- reducing everything to very local more, we require some breadth in specifics. the education we provide such as ensuring that future scientists Despite making clear that this was have a grounding in economics. not an occasion to focus on Although relatively flexible (to the funding, there was significant envy of some other countries), UK reference to, and discussion of, universities are not good at the financial circumstances defining what they do and, currently faced. Funding related despite retention of their autono- comments included: my being very important, society - Governments have traditionally needs a return on its investment. had concern for science re- The assumption that the role of search, but how will the arts the universities is to boost the and humanities be funded? economy was questioned. It was - Is it appropriate for govern- suggested that the system, as part ments to make decisions to of the service sector with relevance fund specific things e.g. to big business, can contribute to Alzheimer’s? such an aim, but cannot be the sole driver for sustained change in

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- Where is the funding for big - Will global needs be the research (e.g. on energy) in the responsibility of a small number long term? of large research intensive - In a diverse system of universi- universities/institutions, while ties, what are the implications others serve more local needs? for the concentration of - How should Scotland’s universi- funding? ties fit into the global system? - Higher Indeed, what should be the appears to have a social contract relationship between Scotland’s – a free right universities and the UK system? - A year has been lost in the - It seems clear that universities debate on funding in Scotland need direction but where and three of the four main should that direction come political parties have taken from? decisions that rule out student - Given that universities will be contributions to the cost of diverse, who makes the deci- their higher education. sions about how they should be - Whilst there are important differentiated? issues to be determined in - What are the implications for relation to the long term vitality the increasing concentration of of universities in Scotland there funding? Research is increasing- are short-term funding impera- ly being determined by those tives that must be addressed who fund it. now. Universities are essentially - While collaboration among working with a 9-month budget institutions is generally greeted to plan 4 years of undergradu- with approval, how will this be ate education. achieved in practice and how - The University Principals have can it be balanced with flexibili- made little contribution to the ty? debate, largely because they are - How can more emphasis in the not in agreement with each discourse about universities be other. shifted back on to teaching The issues that would have to be (which is what the taxpayers faced by universities included: believe they are paying for)? - How can the global, national - How do we construe the skills and local needs of society be that are appropriate for individ- served, possibly in combination, uals to acquire for operating in by the system? our modern world (these are not crude employment skills)?

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- In educating 50% of the people In relation to the “we” involved in are we over-educating some, are decision making, the RSE was too many school pupils wanting encouraged to take an initiative to to go to university and are we sustain its involvement, offer a clear about what people need? protected locus for academics to - Should we reconsider the future say what they think and involve of the 4 year degree and look at more women – currently women more flexible delivery mecha- are poorly represented in the nisms for different students or senior positions that characterise professional requirements? participants at this seminar. There is also a need to reach out to a - Should we go back to polytech- much wider audience to ensure nics or introduce specialist that people understand what institutes and networks which Higher Education is and what it might not be contained within means to Scotland. universities? In conclusion - Does this discourse take proper account of issues of social There seemed to be agreement justice and access? that Scottish universities are at a critical point in their development, - How does the future of universi- but the nature and depth of any ties sit in relation to the school change has yet to be determined. and college sectors? Does there We need to advance where we need to be a consideration of can. We can’t solve all the the entire education continuum problems that face us. when thinking about the future of universities? - Is cross-border education likely to continue into the future or . will people across the world attend universities in their own countries?

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Assisted Dying: The Debate. A Mock Trial 30 March 2011

What are the fundamental the pure philosophical issue. If underlying core (neither medical you could develop a way of nor legal) arguments for and enabling assisted dying that was against assisted dying/suicide? beyond abuse, beyond implicating The perfect philosophical position others, what are the arguments supposes a situation where there for and against doing it?” is a guarantee that the law will The following conference report is never be abused and that the split into sections relating to each means of suicide will implicate no presenter, followed immediately one other than the person who by a summary of the associated desires to end her/his life. Can discussion and question and viewing the subject from a answer session. philosophical perspective help clinicians, lawyers and policy Baroness Mary Warnock - makers make better-informed Philosopher. “Is it ever justifia- decisions? ble to help someone to die, who wants to die and who is dying?” Dr Richard Holloway introduced the day’s proceedings by referring Those most opposed to assisted to John Rawls’ famous philosoph- dying, on the whole, speak from ical text A Theory of Justice which the point of view of Christian, described a concept known as the Muslim or Jewish faiths and rely ‘Veil of Ignorance’, whereby Rawls on the argument that human life supposed that if a person were to is sacred. They believe that life is a develop a new society from a gift from God and, as such, only blank slate, unaware of what his God has the right to take it away. position in that society would be, However, Baroness Warnock then the results would be a more ascertains that those who rely on humane and equitable type of the sanctity of life argument to society. Dr Holloway stated “in oppose assisted dying, very wanting to debate the subject of quickly move on to other argu- assisted dying, realising just how ments to support their beliefs, difficult and how emotional namely that assisted dying is open subject it is, we wondered if there to abuse and that drafting a law was a way to focus the debate on to enable this would have nega- tive affects on society.

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Baroness Warnock believes that barely aware that they can’t “a change in the law is necessary articulate this but have previously if we are to move to a position articulated their wish to never to where someone who helps get into this condition, in either of someone to die is not prosecuted. those situations it seems to me Therefore the question of how to that compassion demands that we draft the law immediately be- do not continue to keep them comes extremely important. The alive”. question of whether the law Alternative methods to assisted should be changed is itself a suicide can be used to bring philosophical question of seminal about eventual death, including importance, namely a question of withdrawing food, hydration and how to balance what may be the nutrition. However, such methods interest of an individual person may result in a slow lingering against the common good”. death that can take weeks and be Baroness Warnock continued by particularly painful for the concentrating of the question of individual’s family and friends. whether “it is ever right to Baroness Warnock does not concede to somebody’s express believe allowing someone to die wishes, and often those of their in this way to be a “particularly family, when they are dying and morally admirable make their deaths both sooner, attitude…someone who is dying shorter and more tolerable than if in hospital may be subjected to we didn’t intervene”. In discuss- the kind of suffering that we ing this issue, Baroness Warnock would never allow to occur in a drew our attention to the word civilised country, with all the ways ‘dying’ and the fact that many of administering medicine that we people, particularly those in the have, all the amazing things we medical professions, find it can now do, I think that we would difficult to use the term and never, if we thought about it indeed, to discuss death at all. “If properly, think of letting someone you are in this position you know, suffer as much as some of these and doctors and nurses must also dying people in hospital do know, that there comes a moment suffer”. As such, compassion when someone is dying, they are rather than law or religion should not dead, but they are dying. It govern how we treat people who seems that there is a moment are dying. when whether the person who is At the point where a person no dying recognises it themselves longer values his own life, is this and asks to be helped or whether not the moment when we can they are so miserable and so raise the question of whether they

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should be helped to die? “I don’t within this presentation, “I am think it helps us philosophically or talking about patients who have practically to think that life itself is about six months to a year or less, what we value, what we value is a who are adults and mentally human being who is enjoying competent at a time when they using and rejoicing in his life.” are going to make a decision Baroness Warnock considers that about assisted suicide”. in certain circumstances suicide or Legislation has been in place in a assisted dying is rational and for number of European countries for some, is the only hope. “We must a number of years and therefore not think that assisting someone there is a lot of data relating to to die means we do not value the classification of patients who human life as a whole, of course seek information on assisted we value the human beings who suicide. In the United Kingdom are alive, but humans who hate this is about 1000 per year. Larger their lives or who are conscious of numbers express an initial the fact that it is a very short life interest, but very few actually take and absolutely horrible with advantage of it. The reassurance nothing to be said for it, undigni- that many people seek is that fied, then I see no moral reason were the situation to become why we ought not to help them intolerable then they would have attain that which they wish. I am a way out. “Many people who do not saying that I think it is alright, have a fatal illness don’t wish to I am saying that it is right and I lose what enjoyment they have, think that is a philosophical but would like to know that if life question that we have to debate did become intolerable, we have a today.” way out when we are frail and Professor Sir Graeme Catto, unable to take advantage of the Professor in Medicine and arrangements that able-bodied Former President of the GMC people can”. Professor Catto alerted the Professor Catto explained that audience to the fact that the there is a huge paradox in that medical profession is not as suicide in itself is not illegal but knowledgeable about assisted assisting suicide is illegal, in dying as it perhaps ought to be, Scotland and England. In contrast, stating that many doctors do not murder and robbery are also both actually care for terminally-ill illegal however, if you assist patients and, therefore, do not someone in this you too are guilty. speak from personal experience. Public opinion is overwhelmingly He continued by defining the in favour of assisted dying. range of patients considered

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Opinion polls collated over the prosecution in England more last 20 years show somewhere likely or less likely and the medical between 75% and 80% of the UK defence organisations interpreted population is in favour of assisted these findings to mean that any dying. That is to say, they are in healthcare professional’s discus- favour in terms of mentally sion with a patient about competent adults, who have a shortening their life might lead to limited life expectancy and have a prosecution and therefore this fatal illness, making this decision. discussion should not be entered However, when other groups of in to. patients are brought in to consid- The lack of General Medical eration, for example those with Council (GMC) guidance on the considerable disability but issue of assisted suicide is hugely perhaps not an immediately life- important to doctors. The GMC threatening illness, then public has a broad remit to protect, opinion begins to dissipate. promote and maintain the health Professor Catto also noted that and safety of the public by doctors and other health care ensuring proper standards in the professionals are also less likely to practice of medicine. Professor be supportive. One reason for this Catto explains why the GMC has is the change in the role of the no position on assisted suicide. General Practitioner, whereby the “The GMC has a statutory duty to tradition of looking after a patient give ethical guidance to doctors through all stages of life has and it is the kind of ethical moved to being a more distant guidance that they can’t easily relationship and towards issues of refuse to obey – if they ignore it or life expectancy rather than quality disobey there may be sanctions on of life. Additionally, “one reason their licence. The GMC has no why many doctors do not discuss authority to determine public dying in the depth patients might policy on these issues this is a wish is that the conversation matter which will have to be might lead directly into a cul-de- debated by Parliament and any sac, the doctor can do absolutely attempt by a Council to give that nothing if the patient says actually kind of guidance goes way I would like my life to be short- beyond its current remit. Regula- ened”. Voluntary euthanasia and tors are absolutely not assisted suicide are illegal under representative bodies and certain- the Suicide Act of 1961. The ly do not represent the views of Director of Public Prosecutions in the doctors and don’t represent England subsequently clarified the the views of the patient or public rules on what would make either. The GMC, though, expects

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doctors to adhere to the law and law is against them and the GMC the law is explicitly clear that you is against them and the Medical cannot be involved in assisting Defence organisations are suicide in this country at the positively advising them not to? I present time”. think if you are at the end of the Professor Catto noted that the syringe then there is a horrible GMC’s guidance has become reality about the finality of death – increasingly liberal over the years; many of us as completely ignorant recent guidance indicates increas- as to what would be best practice. ing patient choice, but not up to It may be that suicide is relatively the point where assisted dying is easy; actually, as a physician, I can yet possible. “I also think the tell you that I have seen lots of debate has been complicated by a people that have attempted whole series of cases in the press, suicide and it didn’t seem that so instead of looking and focus- easy to them”. ing on a small number of readily Professor Catto ended by stating defined cases, we get problems that he believes that one day with young people who are Parliament will allow some form paraplegic after rugby injuries - of assisted suicide. “Arguments are they eligible for assisted against assisted suicide are usually suicide or not? Not in any sense the ‘slippery slope’, purporting terminally ill, but they are dis- that they start off with a small tressed by their illness. Some of clearly defined group of patients these people have gone to and if it is good for them then it’s Switzerland within a year of good for others who don’t quite receiving that injury. It is not clear fit in to that definition. There is to me if that is an appropriate use absolutely no evidence from other of assisted suicide, I also think countries that this actually that those people who are tired of happens. Another issue is that it life, I am unsure if that is what I will be the people who can’t would want the law to be actually express their own views changed for”. that will be cajoled into this end The question Professor Catto of life arrangement; again, raised is whether it is any surprise countries involved in this show that doctors don’t take the risk the opposite. Finally, I genuinely “Why should they put their heads believe if the law were to be above the parapet and be pilloried changed it would not cause by a large number of the popula- insurmountable problems for the tion who don’t agree, when the medical profession any more than in other countries”.

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Professor Kenneth Boyd – social and culture assumptions of Medical Ethicist and Theologian the time. Professor Boyd reflected that not In this presentation, Professor so long ago people got sick and Boyd sought to concentrate on died within a matter of days or how Christian theological per- weeks. Today, the great success of spectives on suicide developed, modern medicine means that how they were challenged and acute causes of death are trans- how they might address the formed into chronic illnesses and contemporary context. It is now people grow old and generally agreed that Christian accumulate diseases for a long objections to suicide were time before they die. He describes consolidated in the early 5th this situation as “elderly people Century by St Augustine. He inching towards oblivion with argued that suicide went against small losses every few weeks or the Commandment not to kill, months”. This is the demograph- that it was cowardly and that it ic and epidemiological context deprived the sinner of a chance to that theological perspectives on repent. His theological perspective assisted dying now need to of suicide was generally accepted address but, as Professor Boyd in the Christian church for the rest ascertains, this isn’t easy. “It is not of the first millennium. Eight just that the Bible has little to say centuries after St Augustine, about the modern medical Thomas Aquinas refined the progress, it is also that the Bible, church’s position. Aquinas taught in common with other religious that it was unlawful to kill oneself texts, offers little or no unambigu- for three reasons: these being that ous guidance on the ethics of suicide was contrary to natural suicide”. It is only later in the law; that it injured the community Jewish, Christian and Islamic to which the suicide belonged; traditions that theological and because life was a gift from perspectives on the question God it deprived God of his developed. These perspectives property and power to decide needed to be developed to about life and death distinguish suicide from martyr- Aquinas’ views were challenged dom and were arrived at by by John Donne’s Biathanotus in interpreting a limited number of the 17th Century. He looked back references to suicide in sacred beyond St Augustine to the other texts. These were interpreted not Fathers of the church, and only according to theological particularly to the scriptures. views, but also with regard to Donne discovered far more equivocal views on the subject

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and, moreover, he found Aquinas’ natural law, Hume interprets these stance lacking. Donne believed as if they referred to causal laws of Aquinas’ first argument relating nature which humans break all to natural law to be too sweeping. the time by preventing themselves He considered that in so much as from harmful natural events. there is a natural desire to keep Hume also argued that if Provi- ourselves alive, there is also a dence really is sovereign nothing natural desire of dying, often can happen without Providence’s expressed in scripture and by consent and so neither does a saints and martyrs. Aquinas’ person’s death, however voluntary, second and third arguments, happen without its consent. Donne again thought too sweep- Hume even goes so far as to claim ing. He did not deny that some that ‘if a man takes his own life suicides harmed their community because of his misery but at the and that God’s gifts could be same time sincerely thanks God misused, but whether or not there both for the good which I have was harm or misuse in a particular enjoyed and for the power which I case, Donne said, was a matter for am endowed of escaping the ills conscience to determine in light that threaten me – how can that of the intentions, motives and be evil.’ circumstances of the case. It was While the arguments of Hume for conscience to decide whether and Donne were challenged on suicide was committed for self- various grounds by subsequent interested motives or, a rather theologians and philosophers, daring point, as in Christ’s own they eventually helped to make case, as an act of self-sacrifice. the unequivocal Augustinian Professor Boyd explained that a condemnation of suicide seem challenge to the idea that suicide increasingly untenable. This in was morally impermissible came a time contributed to the decrimi- century later in David Hume’s nalisation of suicide. Professor essay on the subject. He argued in Boyd notes that “today even the a Utilitarian vein that whether the Catholic Church, while it con- person’s suicide harmed the demns the act of euthanasia as a community somewhat depended violation of the divine law and an upon what he still had to offer the offence against the dignity of the community. Hume suggested this human person, a crime against life may be very little and may eventu- and an attack on humanity, ally be outweighed by his nevertheless speaks of the agent continuing life becoming a in a vein reminiscent of medicali- burden not only to the community sation when it states that in cases but also to himself. Regarding of prolonged or barely tolerable Aquinas’ arguments based on pain, the guilt of the suffering

168 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums individual may be reduced or be their situation in a theological made completely absent”. perspective make any difference to Not even Hume, however, went so this decision? In trying to answer far as to say that every suicide this question, Professor Boyd could be morally justified. Profes- quoted a doctor: “our current sor Boyd stated that the view that conceptual apparatus for thinking anyone has the moral right to end about the ethics of the end of life their own life at any time and for care betrays a lack of social whatever reason is difficult to understanding that is illustrated defend. “The moral community by our use in the language of needs at the very least to be decision making and law more satisfied that the agent is autono- often than that of spiritual mous in the principal Kantian journey and psychological sense of acting only after having meaning”. Professor Boyd duly considered the reasonable- believes that “a theological ness of his intentions and in the perspective probably makes little light of the circumstances and the difference when, in a pluralistic likely consequences. The moral society, a person decides that in community clearly cannot always their case suicide or euthanasia is prevent the virtuous of this world morally justified. We do not live in or those overcome by social a theocracy but in an elective shame that others consider trivial democracy, where the views which from ending their own lives persuade the largest public prevail prematurely, but it normally feels and that public may well be duly entitled to withhold moral persuaded that the potential risks approval if only to discourage of legalising euthanasia, as imitation by others”. previously of decriminalising suicide, are outweighed by the What of the circumstances such as justice of respecting individual those envisaged by Hume where autonomy”. of an autonomous individual has duly considered the reasonable- It is rather in what happens next, ness of his intentions and motives whether or not society decides to in the light of the circumstanc- legalise euthanasia, that a es…..? “That perhaps is how theological perspective may make some of those I mentioned at the a difference and do so in terms of outset, inching towards oblivion what the doctor calls the ‘lan- with small losses every few weeks guage of spiritual journey and or months, may see themselves psychological meaning’. The and decide autonomously in their difference that a theological case that suicide or euthanasia is perspective may make is not so morally justified”. Would seeing much in how the autonomous

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individual sees their decision, as in opposite. Having a Theological how they see the world and Perspective on life and death themselves. Professor Boyd moreover does not mean that at quoted Iris Murdoch, who once the end of a long life it is wrong observed that “how we see, how to decide that one has had we attend to reality and ourselves enough. It would be wrong of me in between explicit moral choices to omit that just because it is is crucial. If we consider what the culturally unfashionable, that a work of attention is like, how theological perspective also continuously it goes on and how speaks of the incalculable dimen- imperceptibly it builds up struc- sion of eternity”. tures of value around us, we shall “Today’s perfect philosophical not be surprised that at crucial situation where the means to moments of choice, most of the commit suicide will implicate no business of choosing is already other person seems to be not just over”. Attention to reality and to practically but logically impossi- ourselves Murdoch argues is ble”. necessary especially to liberate us from fantasy. She suggests the Lord Sutherland FRSE – Philoso- religious believer, especially if his pher of Religion God is conceived of as a person, is Lord Sutherland opened discus- in the fortunate position of being sions by stating that, rather than able to focus his thought upon discussing autonomy, freedom, something which is a source of rights and justice, he would be good energy. exploring two concepts, those of Professor Boyd states that with “if ‘body’ and ‘death’ and the attending on God enables one to connection between these. He avoid fantasies about God as well purports that, in western society, as about oneself, a theological we do not talk enough about perspective on suicide, and death and often use humour to importantly on what leads up to deal with a subject we find considering suicide, may help difficult to handle. Lord Suther- individuals make decisions that land also drew attention to the are more and not less autono- distinction between the very strict mous social rules and laws about what you can do to other people’s Not all theological perspectives, bodies and the lack of these however, are benign, “telling relating to what we can do to our others that suffering can be good own bodies. for them betrays the truth of what it argues and while religion can be Ludwig Wittgenstein stated life enhancing it can also be the “Death is not an event in life”. It’s

170 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums not part of your history, it is part assist in dying is a very complex, of the chronicle of the matter out subtle, difficult notion where of which you are made but it’s not clarification, much as we would an event in your life. Lord Suther- like it, is not easy and straightfor- land took this statement to mean ward. Indeed, possibly being that there is an ultimate nature overly clear about it is not appro- about death that raises questions priate. about appropriate behaviour Lord Sutherland considered towards the body. “Whereas it is philosopher Peter Strawson’s ok to cut the fingernails off, it is ‘Freedom and Resentment’ lecture appalling to pull them off. These for clarification on the issue of are events in life but if in fact it is assisted dying. Strawson’s lecture assisting with the cessation of life, contrasts the range of attitudes of then that is a different order of involvement or participation in the things”. human relationship, some that we Lord Sutherland explained that would characterise as objective, the concepts of body and death in whereby you stand back and take assisted dying belong to a much account of the situation and wider complex of concepts, conversely those attitudes that are practices and behaviours and even purely reactive. He states that, “A of words. “What is the context in sustained objectivity of interper- which these words are used? They sonal attitude and of the human belong to the context of relation- isolation which that would entail ships between people; assisted does not seem to be something of dying is a relationship between which human beings would be individual persons”. To assist in capable even if theoretically you dying is to enter into a very could prove it to be appropriate”. particular relationship, it is more Trying to be wholly objective than being an instrument, it about human beings, consistently, involves having a relationship with universally and without exception, the individual. To assist in dying is is probably impossible. People will not like assisting in other ways, it still get angry, they will still be is assisting in the ‘end game’ by given pleasure by seeing what providing the ultimate service and friends and relatives achieve and in this way is not like any other that is being reactive not objec- relationship between persons. tive. Examples of the failure of the Lord Sutherland suggested that wholly objective attitude can be whilst depression and illness are seen in literature including Albert all states of the body, so is death, Camus’ L’Etranger, the main but it has an ultimacy about it that character in which has no discern- none of the other words have. To

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able reactive attitudes, producing Additionally, Styron’s novel a degree of human isolation. ‘Sophie’s Choice’ tells of a tragic Lord Sutherland considered that choice between two unbearable being involved in the death of options. These are all extreme another person in a non-passive cases and examples, the ‘stuff of way, wholly objectively, is at the far tragedy’, but Lord Sutherland extreme of interpersonal relation- ascertains that this concept of ships. “In Strawson’s terms, to be tragedy needs to be brought in to an assistant to dying involves at the discussion to be able to least to some extent replacing appreciate what it does to normal reactive human relation- personal relationships. “People ships with an objective attitude to driven to despair often get the human being. You have to involved in assisted suicide. This is change the relationship otherwise often how it is for the mother or I don’t think you could do it. I the carer, driven to despair by the agree it is more complex than this circumstances”. but to be involved in the death of Lord Sutherland notes ‘pity’, another does bring about and ‘tragedy’ and ‘sainthood’ are require changes.” often not words used in the So what is an objective attitude in discussion of assisted dying which this context? Clearly, some people is considered to be a clinical, have to be wholly objective about social or legal matter. “But this is death and being involved in the the ‘stuff of tragedy’, there is a death of others, for example, in collision of emotions and reac- times of war, and this suggests a tions; guilt, shame, horror at what degree of capacity to step back is being done or what one is from the normal reactive human involved in. Assisted dying relationships. This is even more requires the fracturing of the the case for those involved in normality of human personal calculated murder, torture and relationships. As shown by even in surgery, where your Strawson we cannot see this event emotions cannot get involved. as if it were an objective activity”. Lord Sutherland suggests that Assisted dying can be the ultimate there are cases where the objec- expression of compassion but we tive and reactive attitudes come in should not underestimate what it to conflict, for example, Tolstoy’s does to the individual involved. It ‘War and Peace’ describes a young will doubtless in most circum- soldier in the midst of war who stances cause pain and possibly sees his enemy as a human being. damage to the person who assists. It can require or elicit a kind of objectification which

172 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums could, if it became a tendency in brother’s life. The Crown accepted an individual, become dangerous. his offer to plead guilty to Lord Sutherland finished by culpable homicide. In sentencing, posing the questions, “Can we Lord Macfadyen admonished him have a law governing this which is in light of the mitigating circum- universal in its permissions and stances and the fact that his compassionate? Or can we have a motive was compassionate rather just law which gives ultimate than malicious or self-serving. discretion to the prosecutor and Professor McLean suggested this which refuses to attempt to define case is problematic as reducing all possible cases?”, indicating he crime to culpable homicide from would be inclined to support the murder requires evidence of latter. diminished responsibility in the Professor Sheila McLean. form of either psychiatric evidence Institute of Law in Ethics & of abnormality of mind or an Medicine, University of Glas- inability to control ones actions. gow “The necessity to present what was a compassionate act as one Referring to voluntary euthanasia based on mental abnormality and assisted suicide, Professor appeared to stretch legal principle McLean stated that both cases beyond the limits of logic. In amount to murder under current addition, it should be noted that . “The voluntary actions the plea of diminished responsi- of the deceased who takes the bility is unlikely to be available to prescription is not enough to everyone who might assist in break the chain of causation intentionally ending another between the original action and person’s life. It is difficult to the subsequent death”. envisage how diminished respon- She purported, however, that the sibility could come to the aid of a law in Scotland is not entirely physician”. clear. The only reported legal case In England voluntary euthanasia is of assisted dying in Scotland is classed as murder, however, that of HM Advocate versus Brady, assisted suicide in England is a whereby Brady administered specific offence which was tranquilisers and alcohol directly inserted into English law at the to his brother who was in the same time as the decriminalisation advance stages of Huntington’s of suicide in 1961. The Director of disease and had asked his brother Public Prosecutions (DPP) recently to assist him. Brady was initially issued guidelines designed to charged with murder and admit- provide some kind of clarity as to ted that he deliberately ended his the circumstances in which people

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would or would not be prosecut- assisted suicide in respect of travel ed for assisting in suicide. This overseas were not sufficiently clear was provoked by the case of and could not be sufficiently Debbie Purdie who asked for guessed at by an individual. It was clarification as to whether her on that basis that the DPP was husband would be prosecuted if required to issue additional he travelled to Switzerland with guidelines to clarify this situation. her. This case was reported in Professor McLean ascertains that some press as a victory for pro- the same challenges to Scottish choice campaigners. However, prosecution policy could be raised Professor McLean stated that in and that Scotland, therefore, also ‘real terms’ it was not a victory. needs to clarify its prosecution There are important aspects about policy. this case which show that it is not A further difference between the an endorsement of a right to Scottish and English jurisdictions assisted suicide. The House of is that the House of Lords made it Lords decided that, unlike in an clear in Miss Purdie’s case that it is earlier case involving Diane Pretty, possible that an individual who that Article 8 on the Convention travels overseas with someone of Human Rights, that is the right and plays no other active role to private and family life, was other than facilitating the trip and implicated in Ms Purdie’s case. The being with the person when they Convention requires the courts die, technically can be charged and the prosecution services to with assisting a suicide when they address themselves to ‘the return to England. This would not principle of legality’. “This be a competent charge in Scot- includes that the law in question land. has to be sufficiently accessible to the individual who is affected by Professor McLean proposed that the restriction contained in that just as there are potential incon- and sufficiently precise to enable sistencies in the legal position, so them to understand its scope and there are inconsistencies in the foresee the consequences of his overall picture of assisting a actions, so that he can regulate death. his conduct without breaking the “Are there any situations in which law”. Despite the fact that there people can assist a person to die was a code of conduct for crown and escape the rigours of criminal prosecutors in England and Wales law?” ‘Ms B’, a ventilator depend- and an equivalent code in Scot- ent, quadriplegic who clearly land, the House of Lords stated that she had no intention concluded that the rules about and no desire to live in her

174 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums circumstances, even if weaning off patients is more dubious. It is the ventilator could be successful, generally held to be the case that and requested that the doctors the doctors’ duty of care is not to removed her ventilation and allow harm the patient. The doctors’ her to die. The doctors refused duty is not, however, to save life at this request and the court judges all cost. This already does not attended the hospital to speak to happen, for example in cases of ‘Ms B’. They held that the patient people in a Persistent Vegetative had an absolute right to refuse States (PVS) who will never recover life sustaining medical treatment consciousness, thought process even if the reasoning behind the and interaction with the world but doctors’ refusal was that they felt can be kept alive or in existence as if they were killing her by for many years. A classic case of removing the ventilation. “The the assisted death of someone in principle of autonomy was held to PVS is that of Tony Bland who was supersede the concerns of the injured in the Hillsborough doctors and to an extent this disaster. Supported by his parents, addresses the question about the doctors petitioned the courts whether or not there is ever an to allow them to withdraw obligation to assist in a death”. assisted nutrition and hydration in The doctors cannot breach the the knowledge that this would patient’s right of autonomy to bring about his death. Professor make healthcare decisions for Murray considers that The House themselves, even if those deci- of Lords reached their conclusions sions result foreseeably and on the lawfulness of this by knowingly in death. devious routes. “They didn’t all It could be argued that the necessarily agree with each other, doctors did not actively kill the some had rather spurious argu- patient, rather they omitted to ments and some, including Lord continue to save her life. In Mustill, more thoughtful judge- Professor McLean’s opinion the ments”. Lord Mustill stated that acts and omissions distinction is he was deeply uncomfortable one that lawyers resort to with about trying to make the distinc- “somewhat facetious and disin- tion between acts and omissions genuous regularity”. There are in as a way of justifying what he many cases very clear distinctions clearly said was the intention to between omissions and acts, kill Tony Bland. He also said that however, whether or not we can he was not going to ‘fall’ for the make the same distinction in the acts and omissions distinction, duty of care relationship that describing the law as intellectually exists between doctors and misshapen. The case was ap-

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proached from many different cited evidence from the US state angles concluding in the decision of Oregon where a small number that it was lawful to remove the of people have asked for and assisted nutrition and hydration. received a prescription that would Such cases suggest that if the duty allow them to kill themselves of care issue is what is central to when the time is right for them. acts and omissions then the Interestingly, a large proportion of doctors duty of care in a number those people do not take the of circumstances has already been medication immediately but wait held to be not to keep the patient until things become really impos- alive in circumstances which are sible. intolerable. Those objecting to law reform “Whereas we can help people to have traditionally come largely die who are in a PVS and have from faith groups and the medical expressed no opinion or like Miss profession. Professor McLean B, people who are receiving life purported that assisted dying is sustaining treatment that they can not solely or largely a medical refuse, the only group of people matter, it is about human rights, we cannot assist to die legally are faith and ideology. She suggested those who make a competent that whether or not doctors request based on their own actively have to be involved is a judgements on their quality of moot point. “The law’s approach life”. to respecting autonomy, which in the long run is what many of Professor McLean would readily these cases is about, should if concede that drafting legislation nothing else be consistent”. One that decriminalises assisted dying logical option is to outlaw all would not be unproblematic, these things, voluntary euthana- however, at a pragmatic as well as sia, assisted suicide and also a theoretical level it is necessary to refusing treatment. The other make the point that no law is logical option is to look at the perfect. Evidence from jurisdic- similarities in the cases and allow tions that have decriminalised for the same decisions to be taken assisted dying does not suggest with the same outcome by people that the failure to draft a perfect who are competent and asking for law has led to the breakdown of it, irrespective of the mechanism civilisation nor has it opened the which has to be used. That would floodgates to a huge number of be consistent and it is not unrea- people being either killed by their sonable to expect consistency doctors or carers or not asked for from our law”. their opinion. Professor McLean

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Professor McLean concluded by healthcare professionals in stating that “presently the law is extraordinarily difficult positions. not consistent and this is a failure Whatever the moral opinions of which is more than simply of faith groups or some doctors and academic interest as it condemns nurses we must ask ourselves in a number of individuals to the ultimate what right we have to suffering which they would wish inflict those views on those who competently to avoid. It places do not share them”. family, clinicians and other

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Professor Roger Crofts 10 May 2011 Land Use: How do we Resolve the Never Ending Conflicts? Part of the RSE @ Dumfries and Galloway Programme

In March 2011, following consul- the built environment; though tation the previous year, the identifying a natural leader for Scottish Government published this will be difficult. and submitted to Parliament its Jeremy Sainsbury (Natural land use strategy to provide a Power and Chairman of Scot- strategic framework that brought tish Renewables Forum) together proposals for getting the highlighted the importance of best from Scotland’s land resourc- renewable technologies, including es. With land being a finite bio-fuels, hydro and wind, both resource, often conflicts arise, offshore and onshore, though raising the fundamental question recognised the competition this of how we resolve the issue of creates for land and sea and the conflict. influence on biodiversity. The Under the chairmanship of targets set by the new SNP Professor Roger Crofts, FRSE, this Government will be big drivers, debate brought together a with the aim to have 100% of number of high-profile people electricity consumed in Scotland representing the main land users produced from renewable sources in Dumfries & Galloway. In whilst also achieving an 80%

introducing themselves, each reduction in CO2 levels from 1990 provided a very brief view on the levels. topic from their perspective. Mike Bonaventura (Crichton John Thomson (Director, Carbon Centre) – Whilst under- Scottish Natural Heritage) – standing the issues surrounding Reconciling differences will strategic planning, the Carbon require trade-offs. However, with Centre’s interest lies more in the many interests there needs to be a practical aspects required for mutual trust and understanding delivery from the ‘bottom up’. The of each other’s objectives, princi- climate change targets are ples and strengths. One important particularly challenging, as there is requirement currently lacking is a danger of missing the 2020 target planning process covering both by 5% (equivalent to 8 mega

town and country with a focus on tonnes of CO2). As such, there is a

178 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums need to bring focus to bear on With 12% of land scheduled and actions in the non-traded sector, managed for nature conservation, for example, residential / SMEs / this creates a polarised conflict transport / forestry / agriculture – with timber production. Many which identifies two particular forestry strategies have been issues to address. These are the pioneered in Dumfries and action of ownership versus Galloway, an important element stewardship and valuation; how is of which is consultation and land valued with all of the planning which reduces conflict in competing issues within their eco- the countryside. With Scottish systems frameworks. government having targets to Alan Crichton (Farmer and Chair extend forestry to 25% of the of NFUS Environment & Land country’s land area, there is a need Use Committee) – The current to tailor incentives to farmers to climate change issues have been plant trees on their land and for brought about by the industrial councils to bring people together. revolution rather than by farmers, Donald Biggar (Farmer, Vice though farmers too have em- Chairman SAC and former braced technology and enjoyed Chairman of QMS) – Access to the benefits. As such, they are land has been a contentious and aware of their responsibilities to emotive issue throughout history. look after soil structure and water There is now a need to prioritise and not make climate change any based on optimising productivity worse. Land users are able to according to society’s need and adapt quickly to changes which desires, whilst taking account of are often driven by the needs of climate change. An ever-increasing the urban population and, whilst population requires more food, food production may be the and more affluent societies primary function, farming is often demand more protein, which does good for maintaining biodiversity, raise some questions about the though some aspects of current government strategy to put 25% policy such as gorse clearing are at of Scotland to trees. The aim risk of 30 years of good environ- should be to optimise sustainable mental work. productivity whilst integrating Rob Soutar (Forestry Commis- recreation. sion Scotland, Galloway District Chris Rollie (RSPB) – The need is Manager) – Although the primary for integrated land use planning function of forestry is timber involving all stakeholders. The production, areas such as Gallo- environment of Dumfries and way Forest Park are also important Galloway is fundamental to our for tourism and conservation. wellbeing and quality of life, with

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few places in UK having such a There was general support for the resource and fabulous biodiversi- fact that communication between ty, particularly the variety of sectors would create a better wildlife. There have been huge understanding of each other’s changes to land use in the region issues. However, the means to and in Scotland in the last 50 achieve this is open to question, years, with increases in forestation and certainly it will entail compro- and renewable energy. The loss of mise. Consultation is fundamental birds is enormous and there are to engage with the local commu- continued threats going forward. nities; however, there is no single The issue is not whether we have means of best achieving this, and certain land uses, but where they there is a need to extend the are located which needs to be channels through which the reflected in strategies. debate is conducted and to In opening up the debate to the ensure there is both urban and floor for questions, a theme of ‘C’ rural involvement. words emerged. Whilst there were A few reservations were expressed many conflicts and challenges, about the function of local there were also others such as consultation when decisions consulting with the community appear to have already been made which were more positive about nationally; for example in relation finding solutions. The fact is that some windfarm developments. everyone is a steward of the land, However, the bigger concerns are and therefore the objectives probably complacency and sought will be multiple and consultation fatigue. Complacen- require an integrated plural cy is multi-dimensional, stemming approach. from the scale and complexity of One audience member reflected the issues such as climate change, on his journey through the region whilst others assume that ‘busi- to the event, having seen livestock ness as usual’ is ok, will continue and arable farming, forestry and and, should an issue arise, a hydro all co-existing without technological solution may be apparent conflict, believing issues found. In fact, a degree of conflict arise when land uses change. could actually be considered Another cited tourism as a further beneficial in creating the motiva- land use which has a huge tion for responses. The fatigue underestimated potential for the comes from the number of region as compared with north of consultations, often the complexi- the central belt. ty of the issues and indeed the general degree of apathy that

180 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums exists within sections of the means of putting a relative value population. on the various land use options. In reference to policy and support However, it is unclear how best mechanisms, the changes in this should be done and by emphasis from productivity to whom, since non-economic conservation and biodiversity to elements of wellbeing and the maintain land in good environ- ecosystem do need also to be mental and agricultural condition, incorporated in the assessment. and their impacts were quoted. There is an important balance to Examples include reduced stock- be achieved between national ing rates by switching away from plans and how they are delivered headage payments, introduction locally. Such plans should also go of cross-compliance, and not beyond just the natural environ- subsidising the drainage of ment and include the built sensitive wetlands. The primary environment and infrastructure, importance of food production given its importance to industry should not be lost nor technolo- and commerce. Given the need for gies such as GM ignored. plans to be longer term, it was However, the multiple benefits questioned whether politicians that society seeks must also be were the most appropriate people delivered. Certainly in southwest to be involved in them. Scotland, where much of the land In summing up, the Chairman and appears managed for food Speakers offered their take-home production, there may have to be messages from the debate – a change to this, but without · With only a fraction of the losing the character of the region, population managing the land such as retaining local breeds and mass, there is a lack of under- production systems and the standing between urban and associated food tourism that this rural inhabitants, leaving a need attracts. Other land uses such as to educate each other. coniferous forest and windfarms are considered by some to already · There is a need for a long term be at capacity. It is also important plan based on public consulta- to recognise that some uses offer tion. benefits of integration; for · The environment and wildlife example, windfarm developments are an important part of our provide better access to hill land wellbeing, and need to be for the farmer or deciduous forest central to what we do through attracting tourists. continued integration and Plans require prioritisation, which stakeholder involvement. in turn requires having some

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· Education and skills are essen- · We shouldn’t be frightened of tial for growth of industries, technology though there is a with a need to start with young need change people’s behaviour people where complexity is not to avoid excess consumption. so difficult to grasp. · Thus the challenges seem to be: · There needs to be democratic how do we fight complacency; leadership. simplify complexity; create · Future shortages are likely to integrated approaches with shake us out of complacency. appropriate support; consult This will need long term meaningfully; co-ordinate thinking and a national plan activity; and communicate with appropriate activity decisions effectively? planned for areas of the land where they are most appropri- ate.

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A Healthy Message? Understanding the History and Exploring the Future of Public Health Campaigns in Scotland 25 May 2011 Joint event with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC)

Despite improvements in life gave up smoking “virtually expectancy, Scotland retains an overnight” as a result. So what unenviable health record. Al- would it take, he said, to get though progress has been made health messages into the blood- on smoking, alcohol and obesity stream of the nation? remain among the main public Dr Jim Mills, University of health challenges. So what can be Strathclyde. Director of the done about it? Experts in public Centre for the Social History of health, social marketing, health Health and Healthcare (CSHHH) history and public relations ,Glasgow. gathered to discuss the issues – and trade a few blows – at this Historians have an important RSE discussion, which was contribution to make to public supported by the Arts & Humani- health, said Dr Mills, because they ties Research Council and Scottish are equipped to explore and Funding Council. analyse the circumstances and events which have led to today’s Introduction assumptions. Dr Mills began, Scots still drink more, smoke more however, by describing the great and have poorer diets than much success of the 1957 public health of the rest of Western Europe, campaign to tackle tuberculosis in said Dr Magnus Linklater, who Glasgow. The city wanted people chaired the event. There has been to attend mobile radiography much done to try to decipher the units for an X-ray and those who reasons for this and to find the were found to be carriers of the solutions, but the problems have disease were treated. A sophisti- still to be dismantled. There are cated marketing campaign, two approaches – top down (ie including advertising in newspa- legislation) or bottom up, which pers and at the cinema and even a aims to effect a change in culture. prize draw (to win a car) were So what can the arts and humani- deployed with the aim of attract- ties do? Dr Linklater recalled ing 250,000 people; in the event, watching a documentary which 715,000 came forward. compared the lung of a smoker with that of a non-smoker; he

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Dr Mills said, however, that cannabis, Dr Mills’ work has lessons from this landmark public shown that the status quo is not campaign could not really be “satisfactory”. applied to the situation today Dr Mills expressed some doubts because there was no basis for about the use of social marketing comparison. The TB campaign – that is, the use of commercial involved one infectious disease, marketing techniques to influence which no-one wanted and for behavioural change for a social which there was a quick technical good – saying it was a bit like fix. Today’s public health concerns calling in the baker when the car focus on more complex problems had to be fixed. Instead, he and behaviours including con- believes that “cultural techni- sumption of alcohol, tobacco and cians” – ie people from the arts drugs, poor diets and approaches and humanities – should be to mental health. There is no employed when trying to change quick or technical fix and succes- cultures. Imagination, creativity sive reports have found that any and understanding the dynamics solutions would have to be of creative processes are qualities holistic – and that an honest which could be used to help Scots debate is needed. think about their behaviours in Dr Mills believes that shifting the new ways. Those best placed to terms of the discussion – and not help us understand how we find relying on old assumptions – is ourselves facing current challeng- essential when trying to achieve es are historians; those bestplaced the culture change which is to help us think in new ways generally accepted to be needed if about changing health cultures our public health is to improve. He may well include artists, writers drew on his own work on canna- and performers – the technicians bis control in Britain in the 20th of cultural change. Century, saying it was clear that By changing our terminology, can the assumption and laws which we get closer to the people we make it a police problem date want to engage with – if binge back to the 1920s and to the drinking becomes “chasing imperial politics of the League of oblivion”, for example, or can we Nations, rather than a rational or come up with new strategies by scientific debate about the reframing our objectives as substance itself. Understanding “providing calm and comfort”? why we have the laws and approaches we have, is funda- mental to testing how satisfactory is the status quo. In the case of

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Would this be a new way to approach – and which emphasise pursue cultural change? optimism and achievable goals. Professor Gerard Hastings, He also called on the audience to Director, Institute for Social think of innovative ways to Marketing, Stirling and the improve public health, specifically Open University around high levels of smoking in Professor Hastings agreed that it prison. Former South African is important to learn from history, president (and famous prisoner) but said that we don’t have to Nelson Mandela had his own pick one discipline or one toolbox, method of persuading new fellow because changing cultures is inmates not to smoke. He warned about people. He described the them that while the guards would history of public health campaigns help them get access to cigarettes, including early “scaremongering” they would want something in adverts in which we were warned return. It might start with a small that a host of things - from need and a small favour, but could smoking to sex - could kill us. The escalate to a great need and a big message was, he said, that the favour. best thing to do is to hide under Professor Hastings had told the the bed – clearly not helpful. same story in Palestine recently, he Extensive research has shown that said, and had been approached by this approach does not work. someone who said he, himself People do not want to be lec- had stopped smoking when, as a tured, they want to be helped; prisoner, a guard had given him they want positive, not negative four cigarettes – but no light. messages; they want empathy, not People need encouragement to be authoritarian approaches and they all they can be. If public health has want to be seen as people, not as taught us anything in the last 100 a set of behaviours. years, he said, it’s that it has to The human race has never come enable people to be heroes in closer to finding the elixir of life, their own stories. said Professor Hastings; the Professor Phil Hanlon, Professor question is giving people access of Public Health, University of to it. This means finding positive Glasgow ways to encourage people to want to eliminate the behaviours which Professor Hanlon said he was an will shorten their lives. Professor advocate of public health (“as Hastings mentioned public health you’d expect”) but warned: campaigns which promote the “We’re stuffed”. The beginning positive – the “be all you can be” of wisdom is, however, realising that we are in this position, and

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recognising that we have to – which were called “torches of address our failures to deal with freedom”. This linked female Scotland’s very real set of public emancipation and glamour with health problems, such as obesity, cigarettes and was followed by a depression, loss of wellbeing, dramatic surge in numbers of addictive behaviours and inequali- women smoking. ties. This is all the more difficult Society has become consumerist, because the situation has individualistic and atomised, said emerged from the very nature of Professor Hanlon, and although modern society, so cannot be the welfare state made a differ- solved by the tools – including ence, we now have a different set marketing – which caused the of problems. He called these “dis- problems in the first place. eases”, and included in that Professor Hanlon summarised obesity, addictive behaviours and some of the events and processes depression – symptoms, he said, which led to today’s position. of “late modernity”. More These included industrialisation – information is available here: in 1830 Glasgow life expectancy www.afternow.co.uk/ was 34, as people suffered the ill effects of a culture change which Positive public health campaigns drew them off the land into like “Be all you can be” were overcrowded cities. Then, with the “pissing in the wind” he said, public health movement, life although they were better than changed for the better. Fresh the “don’t do it or you’ll die” water and sewers improved health model. and life expectancy dramatically, as What is actually needed is another did civil order and scientific major cultural shift. Capitalism, discovery. There was enormous individualism and consumerism social, cultural and scientific have brought us to where we are; change – for example, the intro- we need change as profound duction of the welfare state and again. The price of oil might be cures and inoculations for disease the catalyst, as it could be the including smallpox. But although economic driver to make us modernisation brought many change our lives. We need a new advantages, it also brought culture, a new inner world and a problems. For example, marketing new biology. Imagining Utopia was brought to play in persuading might not seem practical, but people to smoke. Freud’s nephew, history shows us that it is possible Edward Bernays, developed a to bring about change. We should hugely successful campaign be bold in our imaginings and targeting women: beautiful look for transformation to bring debutantes, all smoking cigarettes about the next wave of public health improvement. 186 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums

Martin Raymond, Cloudline PR Scotland’s public places were Mr Raymond began by quoting smoke-free, compared to 79 per from the poem Scotland by cent of adults. Alastair Reid, where the writer is Although the press is often seen brought up short when his as part of the problem, Mr rhapsodies about a beautiful day Raymond said that The Sun’s are given the response: “We’ll pay backing for smoke-free legislation for it”. Reid recently burned the had been an important part of the poem, saying Scotland no longer mix. Sun readers tend to be young had need of it. Mr Raymond, working-class men and that’s a however, believes we need it more demographic which traditional than ever. public health initiatives struggle He accepted that public health to reach. initiatives could be top down or It’s taken years of public relations bottom up, but said that the arts activity around public health – and humanities could provide when proponents were often some “lubrication” in between. portrayed as the “health police” He cited the hugely successful and similar, so getting tabloids stinx advertising campaign, run by on-side was a huge achievement. HEBS (the former Health Educa- Lessons have been learned from tion Board for Scotland) when he the years of public health cam- headed its public affairs team. paigning. These include This advert showed a “girl band” recognising the importance of of attractive teenage girls whose dialogue, of listening, of having attempts to attract boyfriends respect for those you are trying to were hampered by their smoking. reach and trying to gain a real The song reached number eight in understanding of their lives and the Scottish charts, received motivations. extensive radio play and is now enjoying a renaissance on Is it a rational process? Perhaps YouTube, garnering well over not. As David Hume said, “Reason 100,000 views and some very is, and ought only to be, the slave positive comments. of the passions.” It’s all about people and their passions, said Mr As well as the coverage and Raymond. awareness-raising at the time, stinx has entered the culture. Mr The non-rational is important, and Raymond did not claim any causal that includes things such as peer link, but pointed out that after the pressure, wanting to be part of a smoking ban, 84 per cent of community, being attracted by young people were proud that perceived glamour and aspiration.

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Panel Discussion force people, there’s a lot that can In a short question and answer be done; small budgets can have a session, the panel was confronted big impact, he said. Asked if it had by a member of the audience who been the ban on smoking in said he was a capitalist who public places which made the smoked and drank alcohol and difference to smoking rates, Dr that he loved life but didn’t want Mills reminded us that the it to last forever. Professor Hast- reasons for people’s behaviours ings responded that he was going are complex and that we have to the right way about achieving that look at the larger picture. While aim. Another member of the smoking rates are indeed, declin- audience, a cancer surgeon, ing, cannabis use is growing, he suggested that hedonists were said. Mr Raymond said that while being selfish by not considering the smoking legislation had been the healthcare resources which successful, that was probably would be required to treat them because the argument had already due to the consequences of such been won – so people didn’t flout behaviours. Professor Hanlon the ban. pointed out that although life Discussion sessions expectancy was around 80, The speakers each led a discussion healthy life expectancy ended with smaller groups of members some 24 years before that – of the audience to explore further perhaps hedonists might want to the themes of the evening, in think about these last unhealthy particular the role – actual and years. potential – played by the arts and Dr Linklater had kicked off the humanities in public health and, discussion by asking whether indeed, the health sector. A reaching parts of Scotland which representative of each group fed reject public health messages was back a short summary of points an immediate task, or whether we discussed. should wait for cultural change. Group 1 (hosted by Dr Mills) Professor Hanlon said that while it was fine to use the “tools of the This group considered how the devil” (ie marketing) to get arts and humanities could work messages across, this – without with the health sector to produce much money – was only useful on more effective communication the margins. The real thing is to with Scottish communities, as well tackle health inequalities, he said. as looking at what the arts and Professor Hastings warned against humanities could reveal about the setting up false dichotomies: experience of being healthy and while you don’t want to wait or to being ill, and how this could

188 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums contribute to effective public technological – eg promoting health campaigns. The group electric cigarettes to help people concluded that a linear approach quit tobacco – or it could involve to public health campaigning persuading large grocery stores to doesn’t work and that the set up small branches in small imagination and creativity of localities. artists could help lead to cultural Group 3 (hosted by Professor change. If artists were encour- Hanlon) aged, for example, to represent good or poor health it could be a No one strategy will achieve the useful tool, but this should not be public health change that is propaganda or in any way forced, wanted and needed in Scotland, or it would shut down the artist’s this group concluded; a cross- creativity. It’s really about encour- disciplinary approach is required. aging dialogue between artists There needs to be communication and the health sector – building a between the arts and humanities bridge to enable this and seeing and health services, but this what grows as a result. should be two-way. The arts already work in health very Group 2 (hosted by Professor effectively and could have more of Hastings) a role in helping to frame public This group considered health health messages, but telling behaviours that they would like to people in the arts and humanities change and discussed why they what to say won’t work. Climate hadn’t yet been changed. They change is an important issue, but also looked at what behaviour we need to look at the short as change messages they had found well as the long term and use the appealing. They concluded that tools that are available. We also there were obstacles to changing need responsible journalism so unhealthy behaviours even when that we can have a basic trust in people wanted to. For example, messages reported in the media. while smoking is increasingly Group 4 (hosted by Mr Ray- stigmatised, alcohol is seen as mond) acceptable – particularly in certain age groups. So perception is This group discussed individual- important. Economic issues can ism and family culture and their also be a barrier – eg being able impact on health. Hedonism to find fresh, healthy, affordable might be a more individualist food locally. They believe that the philosophy, while family and other solution involves finding positive, community structures can have a easy and cost-effective ways to modifying and positive effect on encourage change. That might be behaviours. For example, in

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southern European countries, have to keep our eye on long-term children learn to enjoy a glass of goals while recognising achieve- wine with food rather than seeing ments (such as decline in smoking alcohol as something to binge rates). The media does have an drink at weekends – although influence, he said and the arts and some universities in these coun- humanities can help foster an tries are concerned about understanding of health issues. students starting to binge drink. It’s also about humanity and Families can have great influence being human – and putting in other ways too – for example, a respect at the heart of public child persuading a father to give health. up smoking by asking if he is Professor Hanlon said he believes going to die of lung cancer like that we need a major shift which the man in an advert. The media could be brought about by does have a role to play and it can climate change. If we used less be a positive force for public “stuff”, were less materialistic and health in Scotland. learned to grow more food locally Concluding remarks then we might find we had Dr Linklater asked each of the healthier lives. He accepted, speakers to sum up his main however, that we ought to use all message from the evening. Dr tools at our disposal (including Mills said that the arts and social marketing) to tackle the humanities were well-equipped to urgent problems of Scotland’s contribute to the public health public health. effort. Professor Hastings said that Dr Linklater said the smoking ban yes, there is lots of complexity, but had been important, not just that there is a lot we can do about because of what the legislation it, as the example of smoking did, but that it signalled an showed. He said that Scotland’s important cultural message about former First Minister, Jack McCon- the unacceptability of smoking. nell, had been against the He is hopeful that the Scottish smoke-free legislation until he Government’s proposal to spent a weekend in Dublin (which introduce a minimum price per had already implemented a ban unit of alcohol might also send on smoking in public places) and out important messages and help was told by the Health Minister promote constructive change in that he wished he had done more, Scotland’s culture. sooner. Mr Raymond said that we

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Conference Your Genes and Clinical Research: Being More than a Guinea Pig 22 June 2011 In association with Gengage: The Scottish Healthcare Genetics Public Engagement Network

This year’s Gengage Annual research in genomic medicine in Conference, held at the Royal Scotland today. Society of Edinburgh on the 22nd The keynote speaker, Professor June 2011, focused on the Anne Glover, Scottish Government opportunities and challenges that Chief Scientific Advisor, opened genomic medicine poses for the conference by highlighting clinical research in Scotland and the potential benefits of clinical explored social and other issues research to both the Scottish around public and patient Government and the people of involvement in clinical research. Scotland. Subsequent plenary The timeliness of this topic was sessions used a variety of formats demonstrated by the fact that the to keep participants on their toes, conference attracted coverage on starting with an overview of what BBC radio, TV and online news clinical research encompasses, media. The conference attracted followed by a discussion of the participants from all walks of life, ethical, legal and social dimen- ranging from those who work in sions from two different healthcare, science and public viewpoints, and concluding with engagement and had knowledge an enactment of a patient/ nurse to share, to members of the interview to highlight some of the general public, both retired and patient experiences and dilemmas working in a variety of occupa- involved in participating in clinical tions, and students who had little research. Feedback on the plenary prior knowledge of the subject. In sessions was very enthusiastic, keeping with Gengage’s remit, the one of participants identifying it conference both informed the as “One of the best conference/ delegates about the nature of seminars I’ve attended. Excellent clinical research and the role of speakers. Very well organised.” public and patient involvement, and included a significant deliber- The afternoon workshops looked ative element, enabling at the benefits and costs of clinical participants to form an informed research, as well as the govern- opinion about the ethical, legal ance of clinical research. Both and social issues around clinical workshops generated lively

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debate and positive feedback such Reasons for commercial involve- as: “The facilitators were very ment included good and the round table • It provides essential capital, discussions were well organised”. particularly for expensive Several respondents made phase 2/3 trials. constructive comments to improve next year’s conference, but overall • It generates research jobs, feedback indicated a gratifying provides employment for the level of engagement. As one best scientists and research participant put it: “I am interested nurses, provides excellent in hearing yet more about the research facilities, and feeds subject. I feel that the general into further university re- public are not sufficiently in- search. formed and would encourage • It may be less bureaucratic and more people to take part” more responsive than publicly funded research. Dr Steve Sturdy, the Gengage grant holder, said that “this year’s Caveats included conference, demonstrated that • Commercial research com- there is an ongoing interest in mands less trust from the public engagement with genomic public than “publicly funded healthcare in Scotland. Gengage research. is delighted to be able to foster • The pursuit of profit may not such engagement, and to help always be compatible with provide opportunities for public altruistic “research“ views to be heard by policy makers and service providers.” • Concerns about ‘dispropor- tionate’ profit and the Facilitated small-group discus- inhibiting effects of patents. sions addressed a number of questions regarding the conduct • Need transparency regarding of clinical research in Scotland. In commercial involvement, the course of these discussions, including in consent proce- the following views were ex- dures. pressed: Generally, it was felt that the Q: Should commercial companies question was not whether there have a role in funding and the should be a role for commercial conduct of clinical research? involvement in clinical research, but rather how best to ensure an Generally speaking, the partici- appropriate balance between pants agreed that commercial commercial and public benefits. involvement was essential in the Appropriate regulation, and a funding and conduct of clinical research.

192 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums high degree of transparency, were • Mechanisms to compensate considered paramount. research participants may Q: Should steps be taken to undermine confidentiality and redistribute any benefits or profits anonymity. from commercial research and, if • One effective means of so, in what form? passing on benefits might be to continue to provide There was general agreement that participants with new or research participants should successful treatments once the benefit in some way from the research comes to an end. results of clinical research. Equally, the contribution of publicly- • Commercial companies ‘giving funded research to the back’ by building new facilities development of commercial or donating to charity may products needs to recognised and lead to an uneven distribution rewarded. How to achieve this was of benefits throughout seen to be a very complex issue, Scotland. however. • Heavy taxes may drive away Issues that were identified companies from Scotland. included: • If profits are to be divided among participants, perhaps • Difficulties in determining the costs should also be divided value of a participant’s input among them. into clinical research, and working out who deserves Q: Are current legal and govern- what proportion of benefits ance arrangements on personal such as financial awards, data adequate? shares in patents etc. There was agreement that current • Financial compensation for regulation of personal data was, research participation might on the whole, satisfactory. skew the sample of partici- However the following issues pants taking part, and give rise were raised: to a population of “profes- • Despite regulation, data sional participants” motivated handling is still largely based by financial gain. on trust and ‘good faith’. • The possibility of contributing • No personal data can be to research with long term considered entirely secure, and benefits for society is itself a the rapid pace of technologi- motivation for participation, cal innovations was seen to which should not be under- pose a continuing threat to mined.

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confidentiality of personal only if adequate support is data. also provided. • Individuals rarely know what • Some participants may not personal information is held want to know such informa- about them or what measures tion, and this needs to be are in place to protect it, and recognised and honoured. there is a need for greater • There are particular difficulties transparency in this area. with family studies, where • Care is needed in drawing the informing one participant of terms of consent: not so their risk/carrier status may narrow as to rule out possible also inform relatives who future uses of data, but not so prefer not to know. broad as to make consent • It is more difficult to feed back meaningless. Participants need personal information from to be properly informed about large-scale, general studies the range of possible uses. such as Generation Scotland • While the CHI number is a than from smaller, more useful tool, it is not adequate- targeted investigations. ly protected. • In general, incidental findings • More needs to be known should not be fed back if not about the relative value of clinically relevant or useful. anonymisation versus confi- Q: Should more be done to feed dentiality, and about their back research findings to partici- relative acceptability to the pants? public. It was agreed that it is important Q: Should personal genomic to feed back the results of information, including incidental research to participants. The findings be fed back to individual following points were raised: participants? • Feeding back results encour- In general, it was felt that person- ages people to get involved. al genomic information ought in most cases be fed back to partici- • People are curious about how pants. The following points were their information is used. raised: • Electronic media make it easy and cheap to feed back • Researchers have a duty of information. Other mecha- care and hence a responsibility nisms might include to feed back information newsletters, TV, news bulletins, about any treatable conditions website and journals. that might be detected, but

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• Resources permitting, focus • Research participants should groups and public engage- be involved in the governance ment events like today provide of genetic data. effective means to feed back • Involving the public in re- findings. search governance requires • Feedback should be appropri- appropriate training. ate to the size of the study. • Ethics committees, with their • It is important to publicise lay representatives and patient negative as well as positive organisations, are good results of research. examples of how to involve Q: Should patients and/or the the public. public be directly involved with • There is a need for more the design, monitoring and training and education in governance of clinical research general, as well as transparen- and if so how? cy about clinical research, in order to raise public aware- Most participants thought that ness and to involve people in ideally, patients should be healthcare governance. involved in the design, monitoring and governance of clinical • It is important to listen to research. The following issues critics as well as proponents of were raised in discussion: clinical research. • Patients have personal • Designers of clinical trials are knowledge and experience often not good at reaching or that can help to inform involving patients or the research. public. Citizens juries and other methods of participatory • Participants experiences of policy making might provide taking part in research can useful models of involvement. help to inform evaluations of that research, and hence • It would be useful to involve shape future research. children of school age, both for their insights and to • Input should also be solicited inform them about clinical from people directly involved research. with patients, e.g. family members and carers, particu- • Lack of resources was seen as larly where they can speak for a block to full and genuine patients too young or incapac- engagement. itated to represent themselves Q: Should more clinical research be undertaken in Scotland? (as compared to other places)

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Most of the participants thought • Scotland might pay more that more clinical research should attention to ‘Cinderella’ be undertaken in Scotland. The diseases that are currently low following points were raised: on the international research • Scotland’s scientific reputa- agenda. tion, excellent infrastructure • Concern was expressed that and demography may com- two independent phase one pensate for the high cost of clinics in Scotland had closed conducting research here. within the last six months, • Factors such as the difficulty of thus significantly reducing the recruiting from different NHS capacity for phase 1 research boards and high regulatory in Scotland. hurdles make it a less attrac- • While the financial crisis is tive and more difficult for leading to a reduction in researchers to do clinical commercial research in research in Scotland. Scotland, universities are • Scottish universities should doing what they can to not rest on reputations gained maintain a high level of in the past, as these may be activity. superseded by international Further information s available on competition. the gengage website: http:// www.gengage.org.uk/publica- tions-events.php?id=12

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Trident: The Debate. A Mock Trial Trident: Should we keep it? 23 June 2011 Yes: The Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG HonFRSE PC, Former Secretary General, NATO No: Professor Michael Clarke, Director, The Royal United Services Institute Judge: Lord Cullen of Whitekirk KT PC HonFREng FRSE

Facts: Trident is the UK’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, a ballistic missile with a range of 7,500 km which can be launched from four Vanguard subma- rines, one of which is always on patrol, with 16 missiles aboard. It was introduced in 1994 to replace Polaris and is due for replacement in 2024. The decision on its future will be made in 2016. Vote: Before the debate began, the audience voted on the question “Trident: Should we keep it?” as follows: Yes: 14. Not sure/abstain: 6. No: 31

Team A: Yes. Lord Robertson has upgraded its nuclear arsenal. began by revealing that in 1961 There are also ‘local’ factors he demonstrated against Polaris, affecting the nuclear arms race – proudly carrying a banner which e.g. India vs Pakistan and Israel vs said “Ban the Bomb.” This had Iran & Iraq. Whatever we do, not only embarrassed his father, a therefore, Robertson said, the policeman, but later shocked US rationalisation for maintaining an President George W Bush when independent nuclear deterrent Robertson became the Secretary still remains, and to believe General of NATO. otherwise would be a mistake. Supporters of unilateral nuclear Proliferation is worrying, but it is disarmament believe that it will unrelated to deterrence. lead to a “benign chain reaction There is no cheap, safe and of disarmament,” but the reality is effective alternative to Trident, he that a gradual reduction in recent continued, because it is invulnera- years did nothing to stop other ble and undetectable. If we cancel countries getting nuclear weap- Trident, we will be “out of the ons or planning to get them – business” altogether and it would e.g., North Korea, Iran, Iraq and take 20 years to re-arm. We must Libya. Meanwhile, China has keep Trident or give up forever our increased its stockpile and Russia independent deterrent.

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Nuclear deterrence has succeeded First witness: Lord Moonie, for 65 years in preventing the former UK Defence Minister. wars that disfigured the world in What are the alternatives to the first half of the 20th Century, Trident? Is there a cheap and and who would dare predict what cheerful option? Can we afford it will happen over the next 30 at a time of economic hardship? years? Who predicted the Arab What about training? Spring or the fall of the Berlin Wall? Who can predict our future There are six choices, based on air, enemies or threats to our security? land and sea systems. Both air- Would it be right to abandon our and land-based missiles are own independent deterrent and potentially vulnerable and are leave it to the US and France? If therefore not strategic. Fixed land- we gave up and others copied us, based systems may provoke a first and if there was inspection and strike, to avoid being destroyed enforcement, what would happen before defending themselves, and then – in view of the fact that you mobile systems in the UK are can’t “disinvent” nuclear weap- impractical. Sea-based systems ons? Would the world be more based on Astute Class subs stable? Was the world more provide a continuous threat and peaceful before nuclear deter- are invulnerable, but despite their rence? “Hardly,” Robertson said, attractions, Cruise missiles have suggesting that even if the UK did limitations in terms of range (only act alone, other countries would 1,000 miles), payload, speed not believe us, anyway, and “this (subsonic) and cost – they would would not generate trust but require a redesign to deliver a more tension and suspicion.” nuclear warhead. They would also require a redesigned warhead, Trident is a political statement, he which could have a small enough concluded, designed to stop yield to constitute a tactical aggressors from even thinking weapon. The UK has already they could win a conventional war. rejected the use of tactical nuclear It simply would not be worth weapons and it would be irre- taking the risk. We live in an sponsible to reintroduce them unpredictable and complex world because they would not be and the balance of power is deterrent enough. Reducing our shifting to the emerging econo- Vanguards to three submarines is mies, as well as to increasingly also an inferior option because we fragile and failed states. So now is would lose our continuous threat. not the right time to give up deterrence. All public spending is about making choices, but Trident is “affordable” in terms of platform,

198 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums infrastructure, missiles and reduction and deterrence or submarines – and meets our between reduction and prolifera- needs. Recent estimates suggest tion. It is a “conceit” that we can that the submarines will cost £11– turn the nuclear arms race on and 14 billion spread over several off like a tap, through unilateral years, or about five per cent of the disarmament. The evidence is that total defence budget over the next other countries decide what to do 40 years. Re-training for alterna- for their own reasons. tive systems would also be costly “Global Zero” (which seeks to because we have considerable eliminate all nuclear weapons) is expertise in the current single-use the Holy Grail we all seek but it is platform. “The world is a danger- not feasible or safe, said Cornish, ous and uncertain place – and and “not merely irrelevant but getting more so.” possibly tragic,” particularly in Second witness: Dr Paul Cor- view of threats from international nish, Head of the International terrorists – creating more danger, Security Programme and not less. Carrington Professor of Interna- Cornish also discussed the moral tional Security at Chatham issues raised by deterrence, the House. need to set an example and the How have nuclear arsenals question of proportionality, saying changed through the years? What that the issues are not “mono- are your views on the “Global chrome” but highly complex – e.g. Zero” campaign (supported by when you threaten to use nuclear George Schultz and Henry weapons, you must be willing to Kissinger)? use them, yet that is the last thing The only rational choice is to you want. Given the availability of maintain a continuous sea-based nuclear materials and technology, deterrent. At the height of the and the regional issues involved, Cold War there were about people should support disarma- 65,000 warheads, including 300 ment if they think that would in the UK. Today, the figure is reverse the trend, but if they want about 20,000 warheads, with the to deal with the world as it is, vote UK total down to 225. Despite to keep Trident. The proof must overall reduction, several countries be high before we can afford to have entered the nuclear arms do away with it in such an race since the original five, unpredictable world, so we must and several terrorist organisations maintain deterrence, Cornish have also expressed interest in concluded, “to prevent ourselves acquisition. There is no simple being surprised.” causal relationship between

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Cross-examination: Team B: No. Michael Clarke Michael Clarke then asked about began by saying that the aboli- deterrence. What makes it tionists used to be described as successful? Cornish replied that it the sentimentalists versus the is “uncertainty as to the out- realists, but perhaps this should come,” and the broadly shared now be reversed, in view of recent view in the Soviet Union that it geopolitical changes. The funda- would suffer unacceptable mentals are that some people damage in the event of an all-out believe that deterrence is what exchange. “They understand kept the peace in the Cold War nuclear deterrence and the and will continue to do so in penalty.” What about the risk of future. But the Cold War was not accidents? Yes, there have been as safe as we thought it was – incidents, but fewer of them as there were numerous scares. And time has gone by, and both sides the concept of deterrence is based handle nuclear weapons with on unique historical circumstanc- considerable care because they es, with the US and the Soviet know the risks involved. What Union in control of their allies, about the numbers – how do you with a common morality and define them as high or low, in attitude towards proportionality. view of the fact that so many Clarke conceded that deterrence tactical weapons have gone? may have worked in the past but Everyone wants to see a reduction, then said it could not be justified Cornish replied, but proliferation now. There are nine recognised is a bigger threat. What difference nuclear powers, plus Iran, and would it make if we gave up our many do not share the same independent deterrent for 10–20 beliefs – e.g., China’s view is years? We need a continuous based on certainty and the belief deterrent because that means that deterrence must be backed there is no question of being up by action. “Deterrence is attacked. If we separate the threat whatever you say it is,” Clarke of using weapons from the act, said. why should someone believe us? Instinct plays a big role in our It is a paradox that in the process attitude to nuclear weapons, of making the threat, you must be Clarke continued – including the willing to act. Lord Robertson instinct that it is good for pres- then added that a nuclear re- tige, good for jobs and sponse does not need to lead to technology. “All these arguments Armageddon, but would mean a are partly true,” he said, “but they threat of huge damage. are not strategic.” Is it worth having nuclear weapons so they

200 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums can be used by politicians when using nuclear weapons in an they make mistakes? extremely remote set of circum- The concept of stable deterrence stances. We would not use them is astrology – a chimera. “The against non-nuclear powers and genie is out of the bottle,” he we are bound by international added. Soon, there may be up to humanitarian law applicable in 40 governments with nuclear armed conflict, including the weapons. But we have the Geneva Conventions. Using or opportunity to do something threatening to use nuclear now. In 2015, there will be a new weapons would generally be president in Russia and Barack contrary to international humani- Obama will be thinking of his tarian law, except possibly in presidential legacy. Iran will be at extreme circumstance of self- a threshold. And in 2016, the UK defence when our national has the chance to act. We have no survival is at stake. Given this very palpable enemies now, and if we narrow set of remote possibilities disarm, then others may also for nuclear use, Ritchie asked disarm. If it is a question of whether it is truly essential for our uncertainty, look no further than ‘national security’ that we retain the environment – surely that is them. We must also accept that where we should be investing our there is no such thing as a risk- money. If the UK scrapped Trident, free nuclear future. Some people that would send out a message say we must retain our nuclear and be the most significant move weapons just in case, as an to date in the nuclear age. Would insurance against future uncer- we be safer as one out of 40 tainty, but Trident does not nuclear powers or as part of the provide us any guarantee of non-nuclear world? We should protection. Nuclear deterrence get out of this “fraudulent provides no certainties, but a deterrence game.” potential ability to counter an attack in highly improbable First witness: Nick Ritchie, circumstances. It is no insurance Research Fellow at the Depart- against broader threats – e.g., it ment of Peace Studies, was irrelevant in the Falklands University of Bradford . War. What use has Trident been to the As regards costs, the Ministry of UK over the last 20–30 years? Defence can’t afford it now that it “If Trident is the answer,” Ritchie is clear the costs will come out of replied, “then what is the ques- the Defence Budget, inevitably at tion?” The ‘mantra’ is national the expense of other conventional security, but we have clearly stated capabilities. Therefore, the that we would only ever consider circumstances in which we may

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need Trident are now so remote apply to nuclear weapons and, in and the opportunity costs are so the context of the current debate, great, that just because we can to Trident and the UK in particular. imagine the scenarios in which it Using nuclear weapons could may be useful, this should not never meet the criteria of just war drive our policy. Is it absolutely theory, and MAD means there necessary to maintain Trident at would only be losers, no winners, the cost envisaged for limited so therefore no chance of success. potential security benefits or for There are lots of arguments about vague notions of international deterrence and how this may prestige? “No,” answered Ritchie. reduce the risk of proliferation, Trident is an “optional extra” but the more we believe in which comes at a significant deterrence, the more likely this moral, financial and political cost. will break down. The “mon- “It is a security blanket we can’t strous” threat to use nuclear afford”. weapons is itself immoral, Second witness: Rt Rev Richard Holloway continued. “I don’t Holloway FRSE, former Bishop want to be part of a nation that of Edinburgh. threatens destruction as part of a How do you see Trident in relation metaphysical doctrine of deter- to morality? rence,” he said. The ethics of deterrence are based Holloway then pointed out that on so-called “just war” theory – there were profound non-military war should be a last resort, the reasons for the UK’s adoption of reasons for war must be just and nuclear weapons in 1946, the war must be justly waged. War primarily our national prestige, has a “demonic energy” all of its despite the economic hardships of own, said Holloway. This is not a the time. This desire to play a reason not to enter war, but if the leading part in the world is war is legal and we have a chance described as the “great power of success, then it may be justifia- impulse,” and Holloway quoted ble. So how do we apply this to Churchill saying that the UK’s nuclear weapons? The theory is investment in nuclear weapons altered at once because there is was “the price we pay to sit at the maximum damage at the start of top table.” In recent times, Tony the conflict. This is why MAD Blair also acknowledged that (mutually assured destruction) lies despite all the arguments against at the heart of the doctrine of Trident, to cancel it would “down- deterrence. Holloway’s “intestinal grade our status.” With some reaction,” however, is to question politicians, said Holloway, prestige if the ethics of just war theory can often overrides reason. Would it make the UK more like Belgium if 202 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums we said “no” to Trident? “Not a said that he isn’t a pacifist, but fate worse than death,” Holloway noted that we’ve had non-stop answered. Whether or not Trident wars since deterrence began. A is immoral, he concluded, there is conventional war may make still a special case for the UK to things slightly better, but not a get rid of it. “Frankly, I am glad nuclear war. “I don’t believe in the the days are over when we need logic of deterrence,” said Hollo- this prestige,” he said. “We way. If deterrence is such a good would be better off financially and idea, every country in the world morally without it.” would want to have nuclear Cross-examination: weapons – including Iran. Cornish pointed out that Iran is not Lord Robertson then asked if it motivated by self-defence but by would be wise to disarm even if its desire for the annihilation of no-one else followed our exam- Israel. Holloway countered that it ple. Holloway replied that we is hard to “unpick the mosaic” of should do it because it is right – it complex international relations, is so monstrous that there is no and Clarke said that multiple valid utilitarian argument for it, deterrence in the Middle East while even the threat of using does not make the region safer. nuclear weapons is immoral. “Nuclear deterrence is inherently Are threat and act the same? Is a immoral,” he added. “It is wrong threat so unbearably evil? Deter- and it doesn’t work. Getting rid of rence doesn’t work, said Holloway, Trident would be doing good, not adding: “There is something sacrificing prudence”. immoral about monstrous intentions, even if you don’t mean When Lord Robertson asked to carry them out.” Michael Clarke if he is in favour of the US or Russia disarming, Clarke Lord Robertson: Closing Re- replied that he supports the idea marks. of a “superpower right” to hold We face many, various threats. In onto some nuclear weapons, the last century, 160 million adding that he also thinks the US people died in war around the would be no more vulnerable world and this is starting to without them. “Deterrence does reduce now, thanks to deterrence. not dictate policy,” he added. The economist J K Galbraith “Without nuclear arms, there are talked about the difference many other ways of resolving between “those who know they disputes. Nuclear weapons would don’t know and those who don’t not stop China acting against know they don’t know”, and this India, for example.” Asked where also applies to deterrence. Russia he would draw the line, Holloway won’t give up its nuclear weap-

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ons. “A nuclear-free world won’t not risk-free. “If the UK were not happen overnight.” But because already a nuclear power, we would we can’t forecast the future, we not become one.” And the timing must plan ahead. is good to scrap Trident. The UK There is no alternative to Trident. has never been as safe as it is now. MAD is no longer a threat We have a “window of opportuni- because we’re capable of “flexible ty.” We do have an alternative. Say response”, and modern weapons “no” to Trident. are more accurate. They can still Lord Cullen: Summing Up. cause huge damage, however, and Team A (Yes) said that Trident is a having a continuous sea-based political statement, threatening deterrence works. Unilateral unacceptable damage. Nuclear disarmament would not work stockpiles are increasing. The because we would not be be- future is uncertain. Reduction has lieved. War between the great not discouraged proliferation. powers is no longer the norm, Global Zero is a dangerous because of deterrence, including approach. The threat to use Trident in the UK, and this is nuclear weapons prevents war. especially true in a changing, unpredictable world. Deterrence is Team B (No) said that history has not a chimera or psychological moved on from the Cold War. and if we disarmed, it would be Deterrence is a “slippery term.” hard to reverse the decision. We should take the moral lead. Threat and use of force are equally Michael Clarke: Closing Re- immoral. There is a very narrow marks. frame of reference for using Trident is efficient, but the nuclear weapons. There is no argument goes much deeper. We guarantee they would protect or have a misplaced faith in nuclear deter. Their use can not be deterrence, based on historical justified by “just war” theory and circumstances that no longer to threaten to use them is just as apply. In the past, we had a monstrous and immoral as any “metaphysical deterrence”, but threat against us. What is so this won’t help us in the future. special about the UK? Trident Why should the UK need nuclear would also compromise the MoD weapons and not other countries? budget. A continuation of the present is

Vote: After the debate, the audience voted again on the question: “Trident: Should we keep it?” as follows: Yes: 23. Not sure/abstain: 2. No: 33

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Workshop Gardens in Art and Science Part of the RSE@Dumfries and Galloway Programme Led by Professor David Ingram OBE VMH FRSE 25 July 2011

From the early medicinal gardens Gardens of Dumfries & Gallo- of the Italian Renaissance to the way: Art or Science? Allen role of botanical gardens in Paterson – Former Director of addressing concerns such as Royal Botanical Gardens, climate change today, gardens Ontario. and plants have helped to shape Mr Paterson’s opening talk was scientific understanding for illustrated with images of gardens centuries. At the same time, in southwest Scotland, several of gardens and plants have inspired which are internationally re- countless generations of artists nowned. He took the ideal role of and served as the subject of some botanic gardens since early times of the world’s best loved paintings to respond to the question in the and decorative arts. title of his talk, defining botanic Experts from the worlds of art gardens as “places where science, history, botany and horticulture education and public amenity are gathered at Drumlanrig Castle for based upon the world of plants”. a one-day workshop looking at Indeed the strap-line (so common the contribution of gardens and in modern businesses and public plants to science and art. Topics institutions today) of Ontario’s discussed included the gardens of Royal Botanical Gardens uses the Dumfries and Galloway, botanic phrase affirmatively: “Where the gardens and their collections, the arts and sciences meet”. It renowned painter of flowers, describes the situation perfectly. In Henri Fantin-Latour, and Impres- addition to the traditional sionist gardens. The programme labelled, documented plant was devised and chaired by collections, herbarium laborato- Professor David Ingram OBE VMH ries and themed gardens, a visitor FRSE, of the Universities of centre holds a 500-seat auditori- Edinburgh and Lancaster and um, a publically-available library, formerly Regius Keeper of the demonstration workrooms, a Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. shop and a restaurant. This pattern is typical across North America; with little State funding, the cultivation of “friends” of all

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categories is as essential as the erroneous in any garden of note. cultivation of the plants them- Cultivation of plants cannot fail to selves. Concerts, lecture series and be based upon scientific principles art and flower shows encourage and facts – soil types, weather and public participation throughout local microclimates, manipulation the year. of genetic potential in the Such egalitarianism was uncom- production of cultivars, choice of mon and certainly less extensive, species from across the world and in Britain until the reforms of so on – but the arrangement, Thatcherite government insisted juxtaposition and training of the that cultural institutions, includ- seasonal palette depends upon ing botanic gardens, had to find art. more of their own funding. And gardens are frequently Charitable Foundations, Friends’ embellished by the traditional and Alumni Associations followed artforms of sculpture and orna- and new Visitor Centres began to mental buildings. Great offer public programmes incon- Renaissance sites were often ceivable in earlier times and programmatic gardens with inevitable today. There, the arts classical themes taken from Virgil and sciences meet and are seen to and Ovid. Many 18th-Century be mutually supportive. The fine landscape gardens in Britain new John Hope Gateway at followed this pattern, while at Edinburgh demonstrates this Stowe (in Buckinghamshire) the splendidly; “the Botanics” have programme included philosophi- always been available to the cal and political allusions public, but their extended role understood by the cognoscenti. and unlimited potential are now Modern gardens seldom stray more manifest, to the benefit of beyond the science within all. horticulture and the art of design, Mr Paterson emphasised that such but in Dumfriesshire is a unique developments have not detracted essay linking the “Two Cultures”. from the traditions of botanical Charles Jencks’s Garden of Cosmic research and display of document- Speculation at Portrack illustrates ed plant collections. Indeed, they the physics underlying our have often been enhanced by the universe. On a smaller, though no new necessity of effective interpre- less intense, scale, Ian Hamilton tation at several levels. Finlay’s Little Spartacus uses While the perceived dichotomy classical and literary allusions to between art and science can easily build an inclusive artwork up in be dispersed in a modern botanic the Pentland Hills. garden, it can be seen equally as

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Mr Paterson posed a further even slightly better informed then query: What are gardens for? And that is sufficient, but there is also using the 17th-Century John a need to have effective interpre- Parkinson’s phrase “For use and tation there for those who want it. for Delight”, he showed images Botanic Gardens - Gardens for of local gardens that respond to Science. Emeritus Professor both questions. The list included John Parker – Former Director, plantsmen’s gardens at Corsock House, Steadstone House, Biggar Botanic Garden. Park and his own garden nearby at Grovehill House. The grounds Professor Parker proposed that of The Crichton Royal, now a botanic gardens are not the same University Campus, in Dumfries as other gardens; they are differ- are essentially a therapeutic ent as they are focused on the garden – while the gardens and plants themselves rather than on policies of Drumlanrig Castle human perceptions of plants. (where the study day was held) What are gardens? An image of a have been laid out, adapted and painting of the Virgin Mary embellished over four centuries as surrounded by a walled garden a finely-wrought setting for the depicts it as “a misplaced section central gem, the great house of heaven”. This painting, in the itself. Each is an individual essay in Persian tradition, clearly portrays creativity, where art and science, plants that have distinct signifi- use and delight combine to make cance and religious overtones, what Francis Bacon famously giving a sense of the spiritual as described as “The Purest of well as the aesthetic importance Human Pleasures”. of gardens. Rubens’ Garden of Question: Eden is an example of a painting depicting the world of plants Could the science be brought within gardens as existing for out more into the public arena humans to use and exploit. so people have more apprecia- Professor Parker described an early tion for the plants? medieval plan of the Benedictine Mr Paterson suggested that there Monastery garden at St Gall, is a danger of being too didactic. which shows a garden of ‘sim- People are often unnecessarily put ples’, or herbs for medicinal use. off by botanical nomenclature and Professor Parker described plants in what they are apt to see as as the world’s great chemists, and ‘pretentious’ Latin. He believes explained that there has been a that if a visitor spends time in a long tradition of using plants in a botanic garden and goes away medical way throughout history.

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During the Renaissance, the study Garden at Leiden in the Low of medicine at the universities, Countries was similar to that at including investigative dissection Padua, having quadrants of of the human body, was installed rectangular beds holding collec- as an exact science. The scientific tions. However, the science had advances were accompanied by a moved away from the concept of need to systematise plants from a grouping plants together for their medical perspective. So plant medicinal uses towards different collections, to aid this systematic relationships and categorisations study, became part of the ‘science of the plant world. The Dutch of medicine’, and the places were amongst the first European where they were held were often colonial powers to routinely referred to as physic gardens. collect plants throughout their Thus botanic gardens had their spheres of interest; thus Protea origins in this era of scientific species from the Cape of South revolution. The Botanic Garden of Africa were soon displayed at the University at Padua, estab- Leiden. Botanists quickly realised lished in 1545, is usually that other parts of the world had considered to be the earliest differences in their floras from foundation. It is classical in style, that of Europe. This diversity incorporating statuary and water, needed to be understood and this with beds of rectangular shape knowledge incorporated into the arranged in concentric circles. classification and systemisation of These beds were planted with plants. species linked by their medicinal The first botanic garden in uses – plants for treating heart England was opened at Oxford in complaints, liver diseases and so 1621, after a visit to Leiden by the on. Professor Parker characterised Earl of Danby. The design of the botanical gardens as “having Oxford Botanic Garden still collections, like living museums” – resembles an Italian physic garden of such things as aromatic plants of its era. The establishment of – but having no necessity for an these gardens spread rapidly aesthetic sense in their design. throughout Europe in the late They were, and are, primarily 16th and 17th Centuries. research collections, and, as a Carl von Linne, botanist and corollary, teaching collections too. zoologist, also known as Linnaeus The establishment of botanic (1707–1778), moved to Uppsala gardens quickly spread from the Botanic Garden, Sweden, in 1728. Renaissance Italy of the early 16th This Botanic Garden had been Century to other European established in 1655 and, when countries. Thus the 1587 Botanic Linnaeus arrived, he found it in a

208 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums very tired and rundown state. He enabling wondrous worlds to be set about correcting this as he recreated in a European environ- developed his life of classification. ment. Linnaeus can be considered as the Underlying all these botanic ‘father of modern taxonomy’; he gardens was the principle of believed his role in life was to give ‘plants for use’. John Henslow names to everything on earth, (1796–1861), Professor of ‘God’s systematist’! His classifica- Mineralogy and Botany at Cam- tions were not uniquely biological bridge University, changed the – he referred to both animate and botanic garden ‘landscape’ of the inanimate objects, such as rock, as 19th Century. He considered the “species”. In the 18th Century the Garden at Cambridge “unsuitable world was opening up to Europe- for the needs of modern botany”. an colonialism and new plant During his era science became species were flooding into truly ‘modern’, and could no Europe. Linnaeus was very longer be satisfactorily considered pragmatic about the classification as ‘natural philosophy’. Thus the of these new species and, rather new study of botany became than try to fit them in to the focused on the science of plants system of existing knowledge, he themselves, not simply concentrat- devised a sexual system of ing on their medicinal or other classification to cope with the economic benefits. Professor explosion of new plants. He Parker stated that “plants them- simply grouped them according to selves were interesting as the how many stamens and pistils the major component of the biologi- flower possessed. In this way, cal world, not just because of their Linnaeus was able to create a use to people”. catalogue of the diversity of the But these plant collections for the world using a practical rather than study of scientists could also be a biologically meaningful system. arranged with due regard to Botanic gardens spread world- aesthetics. At Cambridge, under wide – to South America, Asia and Henslow, this gave rise to the first Africa – under the guidance of the major example of the British style great European trading institu- of gardening, referred to as tions such as the East India ‘Gardenesque’, in which the Company. By the 18th Century, design of the landscape gives an botanic gardens in the home opportunity to appreciate the countries were incorporating individuality of the plants them- glasshouses, so providing artificial selves. This style is evident in environments where exotic Henslow’s new Botanic Garden, specimens could be grown and and is clear in the design of the

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Systematic Beds. No longer were ‘genetics’. His chosen experimen- these beds the simple rectangles tal system was the sweet pea, of the classical tradition, but were Lathyrus odoratus. In one startling instead curving and irregular in experiment, he crossed a white size and shape, themselves sweet pea with a flat standard formed into curving patterns petal with a white sweet pea with without any straight lines. The a hooded petal; the next genera- new knowledge was presented in tion was fully coloured. Bateson a series of 150 beds containing deduced that two distinct ‘genes’ different families of plants, now were involved in the specification classified after the ‘natural system’ of flower colour, and that genes of the Swiss botanist de Candolle. and the characters they deter- Henslow also laid out the speci- mined could be teased apart. The mens within the Botanic Garden number of botanic gardens across at Cambridge to exemplify his the world has increased enor- own research programme on the mously in the 20th Century, nature of species, which he based particularly recently with our on studies of patterns of variation growing appreciation of the in nature. Thus he proposed that significance of biodiversity to the the units detected in nature planet. Sadly, this is not true of through studies of variation the United Kingdom, where few corresponded to species, and the botanic gardens are still associat- reality of these species could be ed with teaching and research and established by tests of hybridisa- most University support for them tion. Charles Darwin was one of has been withdrawn. It has been a Henslow’s students and he left sad tale of closure. Cambridge with a sound knowl- The botanic gardens of the edge of Henslow’s research on developing world, however, species. The concepts of variation combine science and horticulture and hybridisation emerged later in a thriving way. Thus the new as the foundations of his own Istanbul Botanic Garden is a site understanding of the nature of dedicated to conservation, not species as expressed in On the aesthetics; its focus is to help Origin of Species in 1859. conserve the fast-eroding flora of Botanic gardens in the later 19th Turkey, not to provide a beautiful Century became the foci for environment for the public to experimental botany, for example enjoy. Similarly, Mexico City for studies of pollination behav- Botanic Garden specialises in iour. Thus, at Cambridge, William propagating rare native species of Bateson in 1895 pioneered a new cacti which have been destroyed science which he later christened in the wild in Mexico due to demand from collectors in

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Western Europe. In addition, Since 1969, Logan Botanic some plant species extinguished Garden has been managed by the in nature by human actions have Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. been restored using specimens Vital research and conservation is contained in botanic garden carried out at Logan and the collections. gardens continue to source Professor Parker concluded by material from far and wide. The reiterating that botanic gardens plant collection has been dramati- are not like other gardens. They cally enhanced in recent years and are designed for the glorification unusually, due to the climate, of plants themselves, not for the many of the specimens grow glorification of humans. outdoors. There are over 3000 species contained in the gardens Focus on Logan Botanic Garden and of these over 200 are endan- Richard Baines - Curator, Logan gered. Logan Botanic Garden is Botanic Garden. home to ten champion trees, the Mr Baines gave a short overview largest living specimens in the of the Logan Botanic Garden. country, and has 3.5 acres of Logan Botanic Garden is located walled garden and a woodland to the south of Stranraer in garden containing examples of Dumfries and Galloway and is trees from South American and Scotland’s most exotic garden. The Australasia. The gardens are also garden plays host to a bizarre and the keepers of three national beautiful plant collection from plant collections, including across the globe, including a Leptospermum, and Logan magnolia over 100 years old. Botanic Garden has exciting plans to develop better visitor services The garden setting benefits from and other displays, including a the north Atlantic drift/Gulf South African collection. The Stream, providing a temperate gardens also host a large number climate ideal for nurturing plants. of international students under- The normal winter minimum taking practical training and temperature is -3°C and the taking part in cultural events. highest temperature recorded to Garden staff also work with local date is 28°C. The lowest ever school children, offering educa- temperature recorded at the tion in a practical setting. gardens was -8.1°C in 2011 – however, this was very different to Mr Baines concluded by saying the temperature recorded in that “gardens should be for all Dumfries at the same time, which and should offer a positive plummeted to -16°C. experience”.

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Focus on Fantin-Latour: Painter paintings themselves, also praised of Garden Flowers. Ms Emma his work amongst their society House – Keeper of Fine Art, The friends, helping him develop a Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle. base of patrons and eventually Ms House introduced her talk by becoming his agents in England. advising the audience that many This, obviously, was not without of the paintings she would be financial benefit to themselves. discussing were currently on Henri Fantin-Latour met and display in an exhibition at The married Victoria Dubourg, herself Bowes Museum, County Durham. an aspiring artist. She inherited The Bowes Museum was the gift her uncle’s home in Buré, Nor- of John Bowes, the illegitimate mandy in 1880. The garden of son of the 10th Earl of Strath- this cottage was filled with an more, and his wife Joséphine, a abundance of flowers, inspiring Parisian actress, to the people of Fantin-Latour to create endless County Durham. Between them floral compositions. Ms House they gathered together an presented and described images amazing collection of art and of a selection of Fantin-Latour’s decorative objects. paintings to the audience, Henri Fantin-Latour was born in describing how Professor Ingram’s Grenoble, France in 1836 and was assistance in identifying many of to become one of the finest 19th- the plants therein and explaining Century painters of flowers. their significance was invaluable Originally, his paintings were not and added a new dimension to particularly revered or liked by the current exhibition. Again French society and, like many an exemplifying how, in the world of artist, he had difficult times when botany and gardens, art and life was a struggle to survive. science are compatible and Fantin-Latour’s ‘big break’ came mutually beneficial. about thanks to the artist Whis- Fruit & Flowers, 1866 – Ms tler, who introduced Henri to House described how Professor London’s artistic and intellectual Ingram identified this as an society and to members of the “impossible painting”, referring Greek community in London, to the paradox of the spring many of whom also became his flower selection positioned next patrons. Fantin-Latour met Edwin to autumn fruits. Fantin-Latour Edwards in Paris in 1860, and used the same model fruits in a visited Edwards and his wife Ruth variety of paintings next to flowers in England the following year. The from differing seasons. The Edwards, in addition to purchas- painting also includes depictions ing many of Fantin-Latour’s of Narcissus, an 18th-Century

212 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums plant originating in the Mediterra- whole garden of Buré. The scent nean, Spanish bluebells and in the room at the time of paint- wallflowers from northern Europe. ing must have been Nasturtiums, 1880 – This painting overwhelming. The Delphinium depicts the Nasturtium variety was grown in France for many Tropaeolum majus rising up from years and new varieties from the bottom of the page. Nasturti- Russia and North America ums were originally imported strengthened the existing ones. from Peru and many early bota- The Amaryllis belladonna, an old nists named plants in accordance French garden plant, has a rich with similar scents from already fruity smell. Dahlia hybrids were named species. The Nasturtium, as brought across from South such, meaning ‘twisted nose’, was America in the later 18th Century named after another plant in the and by the mid 19th Century were cabbage family which had a very popular in France. Other similar peppery taste and smell. At flowers in the painting include a later date it was decided that larkspur; begonia; six roses. this classification was incorrect Including a Bourbon rose; and and the name Tropaeolum phlox, the flame flower with a meaning ‘trophy of shield and ‘snuffy’ pungent scent. helmet’, was afforded to the Of all the botanical images Henri plant. Ms House explained how Fantin-Latour created, his most Professor Ingram pointed out that praised are those which depict the plants in this painting are all roses. Many roses are very difficult clones with double heads and the to identify from paintings, as only way to reproduce them is by often information such as their taking cuttings. scent, leaf detail and extent of Capucines, 1887 – These flowers thorn detail is difficult to ascertain were taken from the garden in from a two-dimensional image. Normandy and have a fresh look. Working with rose expert Peter These Nasturtiums are reproduced Beale, Professor Ingram managed by seed and show no uniformity to identify many of the roses in or clones. Their colour is very Fantin-Latour’s paintings for the bright and at dawn and dusk, as first time. Many of the roses with many flowers, this is even depicted in Fantin-Latour’s more intensified. The glass vase in paintings can still be purchased which they are depicted was a gift and grown today. from Mrs Edwards and was Fantin-Latour died in Normandy in designed by Gertrude Jekyll. 1904. He is buried in the Rosy Wealth of June, 1886 – This Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris, painting seems to include the France.

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Impressionist Gardens. Dr Clare effect, an artistic laboratory for the Willsdon - Reader in History of study of nature, as shown in Art, University of Glasgow. Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s painting Dr Willsdon took the audience on of Monet painting in his Garden a journey through Impressionist at Argenteuil (1873). Indeed images, explaining the painters’ Monet, Renoir and Edouard thinking on gardens and horticul- Manet all used Monet’s garden at ture and the political undertones Argenteuil as inspiration for involved in the Impressionist paintings. Monet went on to movement. Specific works were develop a serial approach to also analysed and discussed, in painting which involved using a some cases from the Impressionist succession of canvases through- Gardens exhibitions at the out the day to capture the same National Gallery of Scotland and scene in changing light. He Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in perfected this technique in his Madrid, for which Dr Willsdon Water Lily paintings during the had been Academic Adviser and early 20th Century, and consid- co-curator (2010–11). ered his garden at Giverny, whose pond they portray, to be his “most Dr Willsdon stated that Impres- beautiful work of art”. The sionist gardens reveal an flowers in Monet’s paintings are intriguing and close relationship frequently quite clearly identifia- between science and art. Many ble. He also often used new Impressionist artists had a keen varieties of flowers in his paint- interest in horticulture and tended ings, as shown by his depiction of their own gardens. Claude Monet Dahlia hybrids in his 1873 was particularly interested in painting The Artist’s Garden at botany, subscribed to the pro- Argenteuil (A Corner of the ceedings of botanical congresses, Garden with Dahlias). and owned many specialist volumes on botany and horticul- Dr Willsdon discussed some of the ture. He stated that “If I have works which led to Impressionist become a painter, I owe it to garden painting, including still flowers” and that “gardening was lifes by Eugène Delacroix, who a metier I learnt in my youth, regarded science and art as when I was sad”, implying that interchangeable, and the painting horticulture is quintessentially African Woman with Peonies, cathartic; a means of renewal. created by Frédéric Bazille in 1870. Gustave Caillebotte was another The flowers depicted in this image keen ‘Impressionist-gardener’. have botanical precision. Bazille painted it as a gift for his sister-in- Monet and other Impressionist law who had just given birth, and painters treated the garden as, in the flowers and plants appear to

214 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums allude to this, as several had ship of sewers below ground and symbolic or medical connotations. trees above in the fight against The iris was known as the flower cholera. These gardens, with their that announces events – clearly new plantations of trees, and relevant to the birth of the child – decorative plants from overseas, whilst peonies were believed to such as banana trees, were in fact annul spells, and they therefore as much about Napoleon’s power safeguard the child since they – his ‘regularisation’ of Paris – as clearly outnumber the sprig of about ‘art’ and ‘science’. However, laburnum, a traditional symbol for the Impressionist painters, hating a spell, in the model’s left hand. Napoleon III’s autocratic regime, Viburnum (guelder rose) was used hardly ever painted his flower to treat spasms resulting from beds. The paintings that do depict childbirth. Not only does this these public areas often give painting signify the coming glimpses into the painters’ together of art and science, but political allegiances. Manet’s also the union of folklore, science Music in the Tuileries (1862) and art; at the same time, its effect shows the historic Tuileries of natural lighting predicts that of gardens almost as an untamed Impressionism. forest, and includes images of lmpressionist painters also used Republican friends; Renoir’s flowers and gardens to experi- Champs Elysées during the Paris ment with colour. Renoir exploited Fair of 1867 (1867) shows the the colours of dahlias in his flower beds not in bloom. These painting Garden in the Rue Cortot details can be seen as deliberate (1876) and Caillebotte’s Garden at snubs to Napoleon. Petit Gennevilliers (1893) depicts Impressionist painters liked to the brilliance of the dahlias’ paint their own gardens, as they primary colours. could directly shape how their The public gardens of big cities, subject looked. In the 1870s and including those such as the Parc ‘80s, after the trauma of the Monceau in Paris, provided ‘green Franco-Prussian War and Paris lungs’ for the people and Commune, the new ‘art-science’ amongst the original reasons for of the Impressionist garden was their establishment was their implicitly associated with hopes ability to help destroy ‘toxic for a brighter future, and ideals of emanations’. Gardens were patriotism and republicanism. In integral to Baron Haussmann’s Manet’s Laundress (1876), for reconstruction of Paris for example, with its imagery of Napoleon III in the 1850s and cleansing, growth, childhood and ‘60s, creating a symbiotic relation- light refraction, the sunflower is particularly suggestive, as it was

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the emblem of the new ‘Republi- garden brings many elements of can Republic’. The use of the science into play and that there is exotic red-flowered Epiphyllum little evidence of a schism be- plant in the foreground of tween artist and scientist. Monet’s Artist’s House at Argen- Art Nouveau - the Garden teuil (1873) adds a vital splash of Invades the Art. Howard Coutts colour; the red ‘vibrates’ against – Keeper of Ceramics, The the blue of the pots and the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle shadow is infused with violet and Professor David Ingram reflections. Such effects, consist- OBE VMH FRSE – Universities of ent with scientific colour theory, Edinburgh and Lancaster and led critics to complain of the Former Regius Keeper of the Impressionists’ ‘Violettomania’. Royal Botanic Garden Edin- Berthe Morisot’s imagery of her burgh. young daughter in her holiday garden asks us to look at nature The Bowes Museum was the gift with the child’s unprejudiced eye, of John Bowes, the illegitimate just as the scientist Claude son of the 10th Earl of Strath- Bernard sought to replace more, and his wife Josephine, a preconceptions with empirical Parisian actress, to the people of evidence. At the same time, her County Durham. Between them delicate brushwork suggests the they gathered together an vulnerability of child and flowers amazing collection of art and so that emotion is allied with decorative objects. Josephine ‘science’. Bowes was one of glass designer Emile Gallé’s earliest patrons. Dr Willsdon concluded by show- ing how, from the late 19th During the mid 19th Century, Century, the ‘Impressionist whilst the British were developing garden’ was associated with the mass production, the French new science of psychology in continued to manufacture hand- Albert Besnard’s murals for the made ‘quality’ objects. The French Ecole de Pharmacie in Paris, and government funded the arts and developed in new decorative sent pieces chosen to show their directions in works by Gustav ‘expertise’ to the public exhibi- Klimt, whilst Monet’s Water Lily tions. The major state-funded murals for the Orangerie in Paris porcelain factory was that at were created as images of regen- Sèvres, whose pieces were always eration after the First World War, well researched. The mid 19th with the support of the former Century also saw the rise of the doctor and French premier Art Nouveau movement, an Georges Clemenceau. She stated augmented taste for Japanese art, that the art of the Impressionist and the emergence of Impression-

216 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums ist art. These new ‘tastes’ began to Clematis design incorporating an be reflected in the styles of elongated botanical design in the manufactured objects, with Art Nouveau style. pottery overtaking porcelain in The Sèvres factory in the 1890s popularity and the development used semi-freelance artists. The of ‘céramique impressionniste’; a ‘Vase de Blois’, signed by Gébleux style of pottery incorporating is a typical Art-Nouveau vase Impressionist art and using measuring over five feet tall. On decorative glazes. State factories, first appraisal, the design would such as Sèvres, came under threat appear to show elements of a from these rivals and they were tropical rainforest put together in criticised for an “obsession with a random manner. Professor the Greek taste and the poverty of Ingram analysed the Vase de Blois, the forms, the bad taste shown in describing the plants and flowers the choice of designs and ugliness depicted: of its colours”. The Sèvres factory was sensitive to this criticism and Ondontoglossum (‘Wallichianum’ made changes; including recruit- or ‘Albertianum’) – These hybrid ing new designers, such as Rodin, orchids originate from South and trying to keep up with America, possibly the cultivar, and advanced French taste. were very popular in 19th-Century glasshouses. The images of the A key figure of the Art Nouveau plants are painted in great detail era is Emile Gallé (1846–1904), and include artistic representa- botanist and glass designer. Gallé tions of aerial roots. saw flowers as having personali- ties. He produced vases that are Paphiopedilum, cultivar ‘Leoniae’ flowers in their own right using a – This is a solid looking, ground technique that has a carved effect dwelling hybrid lady’s slipper similar to Chinese work. He also orchid originating in the Himala- managed to achieve pastel colours yas. in glass, something never previ- Cattleya gaskelliana Var. Alba – A ously achieved in the man-made tree-dwelling orchid with aerial world. Galle also designed roots from South America. furniture. This was not structurally Nepenthes – This carnivorous solid, rather elegant but not pitcher plant grows high in the practical. The furniture design was canopy of South East Asia. It was elaborate, incorporating botanical widely grown in glasshouses in elements, aiming to bring plants Victorian times. in to the drawing room. This was French design to be seen rather Palmae – These plants are than used. One example of his sketched into the background, work is a fire screen with a holding the composition together.

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Two types of palm are depicted, Professor Ingram concluded that, the first a palm with fan-shaped rather than being randomly put leaves, very like the hardy palm together, it is likely that the Trachycarpus fortunei, originating painter of this vase created the from China or Burma and grown composition following a visit to a widely in Europe. The second is a botanic garden, probably the ‘pinnate’ palm, the leaves resem- Jardin des Plantes in Paris, where bling a feather. It is similar to the all these plants would have been date palm Phoenix cactylifera, on display. The Vase de Blois is again widely grown in Southern another example of art and Europe for many centuries. science working together. The Melopsittacus undulates – These Vase is not only aesthetically are budgerigars which are found pleasing but also firmly grounded in large flocks in Australia. They in both the science and the artistic were imported into Europe in the style of the day. 19th Century. France was a great centre for breeding budgerigars in the 19th Century, where they were kept in aviaries.

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Panel Discussion Whose Heritage, Whose Society? 25 August 2011 A Panel Discussion organised as part of the Festival of Politics with British Council Scotland, The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (University of Edinburgh), RSA UK, Museums Galleries Scotland, UNESCO and UKNC Scotland Committee

Can culture, in all its forms, help often apparently incompatible us to understand better Scotland’s issues.” place in the world, as well as address the issues that face Matthew Taylor kicked off by Scottish and global society? saying that we should not be afraid to have a conversation about the arts, culture and Participants: heritage. He then proceeded to Professor Jan McDonald FRSE compare two very different (Chair): Professor Emerita and attitudes to art. First, he cited Honorary Professorial Research Abraham Lincoln’s three Republi- Fellow at the University of Glas- can rivals in the contest for the US gow Presidential nomination in 1860, who all declared that reading the Mark O’Neill: Director of Policy, novels of Walter Scott improved Research and Development at one’s character and encouraged a Glasgow Life sense of adventure. Then, he Matthew Taylor: Chief Executive, described how the Turner Prize- Royal Society for the Encourage- winning artist Jeremy Deller ment of Arts, Manufactures and declared that there was “no social Commerce purpose” to his work, which he Professor Neil Blain: Head of Film, simply produced for its own sake. Media & Journalism Department, In Taylor’s view, Deller’s attitude is Stirling University typical of many artists’ reaction to totalitarianism, rejecting the idea David Greig: Playwright of giving any account of their Introducing the discussion, work. Professor McDonald said that the Turning his attention to Scotland, question involved “complex and he described the national cultural

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strategy report as “anaemic” – as is the slave of our emotions, and if it had been “downloaded from the core ideas of the Enlighten- government-policies-are-us.com.” ment – autonomy, universalism In his opinion, three “spurious and humanism – are still impor- and unhelpful” concepts tend to tant now. dominate discussions on national Taylor then stressed the impor- cultural strategy: tance of empathy and how we can 1. excellence (“art for art’s sake”) create a better future by ceasing 2. “more bums on seats” to be “passengers” on the train pulled along by science, markets 3. the contribution to the and bureaucracy and paying more “creative economy” (including attention to the legacy of the everything from high art to Scottish Enlightenment. video games) Professor Blain then drew on the Taylor believes we should focus on example of Ireland, describing “who we are, what we say to the how he talked with nationalist world and what we can contrib- political representatives in the ute,” and said there was a very north 20 years ago (“the heyday important word missing in of post-modernism theory”) Scotland’s strategy document: about their aspiration to promote “Enlightenment.” Despite the fact Irish culture, and their response to that Scotland was the “cradle of the problem of “living in a the modern world,” in terms of globalised world where hybridisa- economics, science and philoso- tion is the norm.” Nineteenth phy, “we don’t export century Irish nationalism had been enlightenment – but kilts.” led by cultural concerns focusing The “aspiration gap” was Taylor’s variously on intellectual, artistic, next concern, saying that we can’t and sporting domains, and a create the future we aspire to by process of “de-anglicisation”. “thinking the same.” Debt is our But in a world where identities “failure to face difficult deci- were ever more complex, the sions,” but even though the Prime question was now more of how to Minister is right to talk about the “live our national lives in a global ‘Big Society’, and even though his context.” All over Europe, locali- diagnosis is correct, his Implemen- ties continued to reassert tation “is all over the place.” We themselves and “these local have to “renew our thinking identities were every bit as about human nature,” said Taylor. substantial as the facts of glo- We need people to change and baliszation” yet always contested understand human nature. David in very dynamic circumstances. Hume was right to say that reason Our cultural identity is a process,

220 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums said Blain, adding: “History goes Mark O’Neill started by remind- forward and heritage goes back ing the audience that Walter Scott and tidies it up a bit.” had been blamed by Mark Twain Blain then discussed the idea of for the US Civil War because he “imagined communities,” as encouraged a notion of chivalry described by the writer Benedict which became popular in the Anderson, and how since the South. 1980s we have often ceased to According to O’Neill, the three imagine community. Now it is as main challenges are to: easy to imagine “disunity, frac- 1. explain more clearly what ture, atomisation and even publicly-funded culture is for hatred.” We need to work at re- (making sure we relate it to imagining communities, while economic, health and educa- critically assessing the claims of tional policy) community presently associated with social media. 2. revisit the intrinsic and instrumental values of culture Even if people still tend naturally to understand how they are to define themselves to an linked important degree as “local”, we also need to protect some aspects 3. focus on “Scottish” values of local cultures from global such as quality and justice pressures, he continued. From a “Glasgow is the cuckoo in the Scottish perspective, the UK media national nest,” due to its scale continue to be London-centric and problems. The city spends and our cinemas are, as always, more on culture than any other full of US movies, but perhaps the city in the rest of the country and important questions are now its museums and galleries attract about the challenges of the digital more visits than any outside world. To be “recognisable” is a London. But Glasgow has also decent and sensible thing for a been described as the “City of the small nation to aspire to, but even damned” because of its deep though it is easy to participate in social problems. Public funding the digital world, it is hard to get and cultural policies exist to noticed for the strengths of our address public issues and hence culture rather than the “awfulness need to engage with these of social indicators” which inequalities. Scotland is so often known for. In the , Sir Robert Peel “We need to grow our culture described the arts as “softening” more equally across the whole the problems of society and nation,” Blain concluded. strengthening the bonds between rich and poor. Our cultural

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institutions were designed to continue to enrich human life. compensate for the worst conse- And in Scotland’s case, that means quences of the “anarchic creative a culture embedded with our destruction” caused by industriali- national values of quality and sation. And the survival of the social justice. market society would be ensured David Greig then shared his by the humanisation provide by “more jumbled and personal” the arts. thoughts about Scotland and Some people believe in art for art’s culture. As a young boy, having sake and also that art has nothing just arrived in Scotland from to do with politics, but O’Neill Nigeria, where he was born, Greig believes the arts are instrumental sometimes felt he didn’t even in improving life – even helping us belong in his own family. Sitting live longer lives – by having an on the sofa in the living room at emotional impact. There is , surrounded by his extensive epidemiological evi- family, he was amazed by the dence that “Art is good for you,” strange-sounding accents and the and the social and cultural songs that his relatives sang, as benefits are closely interlinked. his uncle leaned over to tell him, One study shows that people who “Remember this, son – this is your read more live longer and con- heritage!” cludes that it may be “something Later, said Greig, he became to do with meaning” rather than fascinated with Scottishness and the simple pleasure of reading. became a “Scottish culture nerd,” The Victorians were right, said exploring the archives of the O’Neill, but it is not so much to do Scottish Poetry Library. “Can I be with “moral benefit” as the me and be Scottish?” he won- difference made by being stimu- dered, as he read the Lallans verse lated by the arts. Social renewal is of Hugh MacDiarmid. As he grew possible via the impact of art. And older, however, he grew more cultural events don’t have an interested in theatre, thinking impact without engaging the actors were more fun than poems. audience. At first, he wrote plays set in Culture is usually used as a Europe, so the characters would positive word, but it also has its speak more like himself, but as his dark side, he continued – it can be work developed, and the idea of used to exclude, stereotype and “Scottish” theatre evolved from humiliate people. Racism and the traditional approach of the sectarianism are cultural phenom- 1950s to the more radical ideas of ena. The biggest challenge of the the 1980s, followed by a period arts is to adapt to change and when writers fused the two philosophies and found their own 222 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums voice, he realised he could write which Richard Holloway (Chair of Scottish plays without writing in the Scottish Arts Council) once Scots. suggested could form the founda- As well as refusing to be obsessed tion of arts policy in Scotland. with “Scottishness,” Greig said One of Greig’s ambitions is to “every sentence we write about bring people into contact with the culture that we begin with ‘we’ is making of theatre and engage not probably a lie.” In the theatre, bad as a passive audience but as plays use ‘we’ when they focus on collaborators. That is why the generalisation, rather than National Theatre – “a theatre expressing their ideas via individu- without walls” – seeks to engage al stories which put the audience with every student in Scotland. As in other people’s shoes – what the Brecht said, “If you make theatre, playwright Jo Clifford describes as you force empathy.” This is not the “empathy gym.” just a nice thing to do but how to Quoting Bertold Brecht’s maxim put in place a whole new way of that theatre can be a transforma- thinking, added Greig. tive art, especially for everyone The boy on the sofa was given a who makes it, Greig then referred very sound lesson, said Greig. His to the example of the Venezuelan uncle was right – we make our Youth Orchestra, which not only own culture. And in a world of makes great music but also budget cuts, the do-it-yourself transforms people’s lives – an idea approach may grow in impor- tance.

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Discussion Forum Facing Up to Climate Change 26 September 2011 Chair: Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG PPRSE Speakers: The Rt Hon Lord Adair Turner HonFRSE, Chairman of the UK Committee for Climate Change Professor David Sugden FRSE, Professor of Geography, University of Edinburgh and Chair, RSE Climate Change Inquiry

It is fitting, Lord Turner opened, to high degree of certainty. Lord be discussing climate change in a Turner proceeded to set out what multidisciplinary institution such we do and do not know. as The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Science and empirical data tell us when the most appropriate way within a range of high degree of forward for climate change certainty that: involves wide-ranging disciplines including science, technology, · Greenhouse gases in the economics and ethics. The Chair atmosphere warm the world, of the Climate Change Committee and without a reasonable making recommendations to the concentration of them in the UK Government on targets for atmosphere, the Earth would be about thirty degrees colder and reducing CO2 emissions by 2050 began by discussing the science of devoid of human life. climate change. · Over the last million years, there There is a communications has been a very significant challenge, Lord Turner asserted, in correlation between concentra- putting across the high degree of tions of greenhouse gases in certainty that science provides the atmosphere and average about the direction of climate temperatures. This historical change, whilst at the same time occurrence has nothing to do stating the uncertainty that exists with man-made emissions of (and the implications of that carbon, but is a natural cycle. uncertainty) around the specific Feedback loops occur where the

extent of climate change and its increased level of CO2 then regional impact. This is important, feeds back to create a major because some sceptics use this increase in temperature and in uncertainty to undermine the this complex system feedback credibility of what we know with a loops amplify and dampen.

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However, for long periods of The Climate Change Committee time, potentially very significant believes that the effects are non- amplifying has occurred. This linear; i.e., that if there are adverse warns us against significantly effects caused by global tempera- changing quantities in this ture going up by 2°C, the impact system. of going up by 4°C is not twice as bad, it is much worse. There is a · We have changed CO2 emis- sions in the atmosphere and the point beyond which we begin to increase is driven by the burning have potentially catastrophic of fossil fuels. effects. · We are set to double the Lord Turner then turned to the amount of greenhouse gases in way in which his Committee the atmosphere, which we approached the challenge. They know have major impact on the looked, he said, at estimates that complex feedback loop system. the scientists have produced of the probabilities of going above We almost fully understand the certain increases of global relationship between greenhouse temperature over the next hun- gases and concentrations in the dred years. Most scenarios give a atmosphere, and can measure very significant probability of emissions and climate change and exceeding a rise of 2°C, and create models to estimate the although many people demand a potential impact on human target to ensure it is not more welfare. Lack of certainty is not a than 2°C, that is undeliverable, in reason for doing nothing, but Lord Turner’s view. rather an argument for extreme caution, Lord Turner argued. They looked at best estimates of the possible impact scenarios, We cannot say what climate such as European heat waves or change for a specific geographical glaciers melting, and the potential region would be and could not impact of rainfall in Africa and the predict temperature or rainfall movements of people that there. Intelligent policy must drought might produce. Some therefore rely, not on certainties, potential impacts can be ex- but on probabilistic estimates. pressed in the language of There is further uncertainty in economics, e.g., impact on translating the impact as positive agricultural productivity or on or negative for human welfare, GDP, and we can attempt to put but there are many reasons for an economic value on them. believing that the effects are Others, whilst important to broadly negative. human wellbeing, are difficult to put a value on, such as deaths

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from a heat wave or fewer deaths whether Britain should cut its from less extreme cold. comparatively low emissions, he The Committee’s conclusion, said said, whilst there have been calls its Chairman, was that a sensible from some Developing World aim for the world is to set on a countries for Britain and America path of global emissions which to shoulder more of the burden. would keep the increase in The lead has to be given by temperature as little above two countries with high levels of degrees as possible, and the emissions, he asserted, because chance of going above two they have many economic oppor- degrees at no more than approxi- tunities to do so and because of mately 50%. The most crucial the ethics of shared responsibility. maxim they proposed is that we Lord Turner framed the potential have to keep the probability of impacts for Europe as not cata- really catastrophic change very strophic, but if, in Africa, climate low, (defining ‘very low’ as below change causes projected 50% 1% and ‘catastrophic’ as four reductions in crop yields and if degrees change). The world is crop revenues were to fall by 90% putting out about 48 gig tonnes, by 2100, these would be very significant adverse effects indeed. (billion tonnes) of CO2, but has to get that down by roughly 50% by In order to achieve the reductions 2050, or down to 8–10 gig targeted, roughly equal per capita tonnes by the end of the century. emission cuts across the world are Ethics come into play when you the most sensible option. In this think how much each country scenario, the UK by 2050 has to should reduce its emissions by aim for approximately 2.1–2.6 CO tonnes per capita – an 80% and whether there should be 2 equal sharing. China is now the reduction, or 160 Mt (million tonnes) a year. The target for 2050 biggest emitter of CO2 in the world at 24%; USA 18 %; UK is is to have gone from 670 Mt down to 160 Mt of CO emis- about 1.5% of global emissions. 2 sions. That is what they CO2 per person levels also matter. They have reduced in the UK and recommended and what Parlia- remain low in India and Africa, ment enacted. but are rising worryingly in China To achieve this, Lord Turner said, and by 2015 China will probably we must turn to technology and overtake us. Lord Turner asserted economics rather than to science that we must begin by persuading and ethics, and the Climate China not to go to the national Change Committee had to work emission levels that America has out by what mix of technologies reached. Some might question this is achievable. They have to

226 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums recommend what are called a role to play and the combination Budgets – the maximum number provides the lowest cost solution. of tonnes that the UK will emit in If one is removed, the challenge is a series of five-year time periods. heightened. In the fourth Budget, they have We can achieve very significant just recommended to Parliament, reductions from the emissions in and Parliament has accepted, a cars, which could be reduced from target of 1,950 Mt which is 390 145 g per kilometre travelled to Mt per annum. Lord Turner’s 95g per kilometre by 2020 with Committee believes it possible to the existing internal combustion achieve these targets, and at engine. It will be hard to get it reasonably low economic cost down below 70g with the internal (and very little human welfare combustion engine. cost), through a combination of three ways to reduce emissions: Aviation remains a big challenge and it will be difficult to more 1. Keep the same lifestyle and than cap aviation emissions, but use the same amount of as long as we’ve reduced emis- energy, but produce it from sions in other areas of the renewable sources or low economy by 90% in 2050, that’s carbon sources; adequate. Nobody has worked 2. We don’t change our lifestyle out how to get a plane off the but we use energy more ground except with liquid hydro- efficiently; carbons. We have to concentrate 3. We change our lifestyle. on using liquid biofuels for aviation and biomass for heating, The solution will be led by i.e., where they can each be most electricity decarbonisation. Today efficiently used, depending on in the UK, when using electricity, how much biofuel the world can we emit about 500g of carbon per produce in a sustainable fashion. kilowatt of electricity produced. It will be possible to reduce this to Electrification will be the route to 50g per kilowatt hour by 2030 decarbonise cars. Electric cars are and to a much lower level, close to very significantly more efficient zero, by 2050. That would be that internal combustion engines, achieved through a mix of where around 70% of the energy technologies, including nuclear is lost in heat rather than conver- (which Lord Turner recognises is sion into kinetic energy. In an controversial to some, including electric car, the conversion from the Scottish Government) and power to kinetic energy is about renewables and carbon capture 90%. Once we get our electricity and storage. Each technology has from wind or nuclear or other low

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carbon source, rather than from million tonnes through a very fossil fuel power stations that dramatic reduction in emissions work at only 50% efficiency, then from power, transport and the grammes per kilometre buildings, in particular residential emissions of the electric car buildings, through a combination become dramatically lower than of better insulation, better those of a fossil fuel car. The one appliances and the electrification big problem is how to store of heating. Some segments don’t electricity. An innovation which decrease; for example, agriculture. will be a breakthrough that will Agriculture is an area in which it is make someone rich beyond their incredibly difficult to reduce dreams is the creation of light emissions, but more must be high energy density batteries. done. International aviation and They are progressing fast enough shipping also remain a challenge. and will be an increasingly Lord Stern estimated that meeting workable technology over the next climate change targets will cost twenty years. In 2030, 40–60%, around 1% of GDP, and that this or worst-case 10%, of new cars should be compared to damage could be electric. costs potentially as high as 20% We are on the verge of a new of GDP. The Committee’s esti- electrical industrial revolution, mates suggest that for the UK to Lord Turner stated, and we are reach our 80% target, maybe the going to produce electricity far costs will be 1.1%, maybe 2%, more efficiently but also much they cannot be precise, but feel more of it, because we are going sure it will not be in the order of to start using it for surface 20%. If 2%, that means the GDP transport and it in domestic in 2050 will be 2% below what it heating. In the next 20 years we would otherwise be, and given are likely to replace our gas central that the economy grows at 1–2% heating with fuel-efficient heat per annum, we would reach in pumps that will give us approxi- February 2051, the standard of mately three kilowatt hours of living we would otherwise have heat coming out for one kilowatt reached in January 2050. Lord hour of electricity going in. Turner stated that he believed the Household insulation is a very welfare impact of such a cost for a important area. country like the UK is very limited. The Climate Change Committee Therefore, Lord Turner concluded, posed itself the question, ‘Where from the perspective of science, should we be in 2030’? technology, ethics and economics, It is possible to get emissions the case for robust action on down to something like 360 climate change is very strong indeed. 228 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums

Professor David Sugden: Facing that there’s a responsibility for the up to climate change: breaking richer world to help the poorer the barriers to a low-carbon world. Scotland The Inquiry set out to bridge the Professor Sugden set out his gap between the policies needed intention to discuss the back- and what people will currently ground to the RSE’s independent accept, and looked in particular at Inquiry into climate change and to the opportunities for and barriers explore why it is apparently so to change. It was an interdiscipli- difficult for Society in the UK to nary Committee of eight people, make the changes that climate including natural, economic and change necessitates and to create social scientists, and people from a blueprint for this. business, education and policy. At the outset of the Inquiry in The Committee determined to 2009, The RSE’s Climate Change engage with policy makers and Committee took two key deci- with schools, on the premise that sions. The first was that science this is the generation that will showed there was an enormous have to deal with the problems. risk for society in the form of The wide range of organisations temperature fluctuations correlat- who contributed to the funding ing with CO and that the levels of the Inquiry gave it the ‘magic 2, ingredient of independence’. of CO2 were well outside the natural range because of our use The Committee took evidence of fossil fuels. David Sugden from 110 organisations, held stated that if one is modifying public meetings, visited exemplar greenhouse gas levels, this is likely case studies, participated in and to be having an amplifying effect organised their own seminars, ran and that the greater the uncer- a schools competition and tainty of what is caused, the produced a film. The results of greater the risk. The second these are all on The RSE’s website. assertion was that climate change Professor Sugden then highlight- is not solely an environmental ed the barriers that are making it problem, but that the gravity of it difficult for the country to actually poses a challenge to the way the make the change and also made world organises society and uses recommendations for further resources. He cited Lord Stern, changes. suggesting that there is a solution The first thing that struck them to this and referred to Archbishop was the optimism and vision they Desmond Tutu in a speech to the encountered from all walks of life UN highlighting how climate around Scotland as to how well change is a global challenge and positioned Scotland is to partici-

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pate in a ‘Renewables Industrial called upon to generate electricity Revolution’, on account of when the wind isn’t blowing in Scotland having: the landscape; one country and then export it compact cities which are easier to back to another when the situa- deal with; universities; offshore tion is reversed. The and renewables skills; and Interconnector would also be proximity to demand in Europe. needed to exploit the major Unlike the last industrial revolu- resource of tidal energy from the tion which took people away from north of Britain to Europe. rural areas, the ‘Renewables The nature and management of Revolution’, said Professor the Grid also caused concerns for Sugden, could also bring prosper- the Committee, and the lack of ity to rural areas, with local co-ordination amongst the communities participating and Scottish Government, UK Govern- benefiting socially and economi- ment and the EU they saw as cally. representing a fundamental threat The Committee’s first recommen- to the exploitation of renewables. dation centred on the apparent Another of the main findings is lack of coherence about strategy the importance of city regions in for the Grid and how we are making carbon savings. Despite going to develop renewables in having the best potential to make Scotland, because they encoun- savings, due to concentrations of tered widely diverging views from population and investment, local key institutions. The National Grid authorities face many barriers in envisaged that renewables are a doing so. Many of these centre temporary fix on the ‘nuclear around the conflict between road’, their vision for 2050 being national and regional goals, as a centralised grid based on exemplified by the failure of one nuclear. The Department of Energy authority to create additional and Climate Change (DECC), commuter stations serving local however, saw renewables, along people because additional stops with nuclear and carbon capture would increase journey times for and storgae (CCS), as one of the national rail networks. Investment three technologies that will be in trunk roads was also at odds essential to the UK in the long with local plans. Reducing term. The EU Environmental commuting by car with much- Agency expressed the view that needed public transport at a there would be no full exploita- regional scale could make major tion of renewables in Scotland savings and, particularly in urban unless there is an ‘Interconnector’ areas, would provide a big reward – a link to the Continent. This is so that pump storage can be

230 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums for investment, said Professor Overridingly, it was clear to the Sugden. Committee that a lack of strategic The second major issue was the planning is impacting upon lack of appropriate powers for potential carbon savings in local authorities, which is leading transport and energy efficiency. to new houses being built that are The sort of district heating for below optimum standards for large buildings and combined energy efficiency and carbon heat and power schemes that are saving. The Committee heard of commonplace in Scandinavia are developers threatening to move rare in Scotland. Also, municipali- projects to areas with lower ties in Sweden have the ability to requirements and instances of build their own power stations additional facilities being built in burning local waste, something exchange for less exacting that is apparently difficult for the building standards for carbon UK because of lack of local saving. The Committee learned powers. that there can also be a lack of The Committee were surprised coordination between planners, and frustrated by the amount of building surveyors and architects; activity at local community level for example, as to what type of opposing wind farms. When they heating should be put into a new asked one developer about development. There was also a attitudes of NIMBYsm (‘not in my lack of integration amongst the back yard’), they were told the various divisions within local situation is not ‘NIMBY’ but authorities which, if better joined ‘BANANA’ – ‘build absolutely up, would have much more nothing anywhere near anybody’! potential for carbon savings. As The RSE’s Committee visited two an example, Professor Sugden impressive examples of wind farm pointed to two buildings which successes which they felt could be have excellent environmental replicated across Scotland. One is credentials and have won awards, on Westray in Orkney, which came but are located out of town, both together as a community after the with large car parks, calling into decline of the fishing industry, question their long-term carbon secured a loan from overseas efficiency. There are fringe effects ‘green bank’ Triodos and, with observed around the cities, with support from the Lottery Fund, councils outside allowing lower built a turbine. This is generating heating and insulation standards the island’s own electricity and in order to encourage more income, which is being used to houses and out–of-town shop- improve facilities and is helping to ping centres, all of which increase reverse population decline. It took car use. 800 legal documents to get that

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wind turbine erected, Professor infrastructure rather than behav- Sugden related. Mackie’s of ioural change, Professor Sugden Aberdeenshire, who make ice said. In order to achieve the step cream, turned their electricity costs change that is needed, we must into income by building three engage Society more thoroughly wind turbines which paid for than through ‘nudge’ economics, themselves in four years. Both of since more of a paradigm shift is these projects present a model to required. Community partnerships follow which offers tremendous are important, where access to opportunities for rural and urban predictable local finance, rather areas, the Committee felt. than a plethora of different Civil society has an important role schemes, is the key. to play in addressing climate Professor Sugden concluded by change issues. There is friction saying that if we accept that we within civil society groups in the have underplayed the opportunity UK on issues such as wind farms, that the ‘Renewables Revolution’ and civil society groups do not, on presents, we could have a more the whole, work harmoniously, as balanced discussion about is the case in Sweden, with the climate, costs and ‘BANANA’ Market and the State. We need, attitudes. A huge impact can be David Sugden said, to bring made by city regions focusing on together environmental, faith and a low carbon infrastructure, and social groups to unite in tackling a the roles of civil society and local low-carbon future, because their communities are key. He empha- working together would make it sised that the overwhelming easier for the politicians to take conclusion that they reached was the sort of decisions that are that a lack of coherence between needed. key institutions and diverging We need more education and to policies were impeding progress appreciate that beyond recycling, and, worse than that, were every activity in our life impacts on breeding cynicism amongst the our carbon footprint. Britain public. The Committee wrote a should have discussion about its 186-page report. Since they import of carbon, because this is feared it would not be read, increasing our carbon footprint particularly by those not engaged, and we ought to appeal to the they also produced a two-minute media to contribute to an in- film which was played and is formed debate on climate change available on the RSE’s website. rather than focusing on controver- www.royalsoced.org.uk or at sies. We need bold political www.achanging climate.ac.uk. leadership and to invest in

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Questions & Answers: using a larger sample size and Q. Given that there is no model came up with a different answer. anywhere in the world for predict- A. (Lord Turner) I agree – there is ing regional climate change, much debate, but I’m well aware aren’t your predictions on impacts of the different arguments, which a work of fiction, Lord Turner? I laid out in the Lionel Robbins A. (Lord Turner) You are quite right lectures last year at the LSE and to say it’s very difficult to predict which are coming out shortly in a regional variations, and models book. I believe that arguments do contradict each other on come out on the side that I stated rainfall, for example. We choose and it’s certainly the case that the most likely illustrations of beyond a certain point, the what might happen, but the relationship between GDP and crucial point is exactly that we measures of wellbeing is highly don’t know! There will be very big uncertain. changes which we cannot predict. Q. I can easily believe that the UK We do know that a warming can achieve the numbers you world will very significantly present. But how can we convince change the hydrological cycle the USA, who have so much larger overall, meaning more rain and a problem, to go down the same warmer seas. It is a dangerous route? thing to throw massive changes A. (Lord Turner) The US actually into the ecosystem and this is an worries me more than China, argument for action, as we do because I find more engagement know there will be adverse effects in China. They are talking about to human welfare. capping per capita tonnes of A. (Professor Sugden) It’s a emissions (at a higher level than complex, uncertain situation. Our I’d like), but are engaged. Howev- report suggests that one way er, some of the sceptics’ points in forward is to look at the variability the US are ‘criminally wrong’. and trends in a region over the Responsible criticism is different past 100 years and assume, as the from misusing data – often driven models suggest, that the extremes by industrial lobby groups, and will be greater than in the past. much of the scepticism in the US Q. I challenge your assertion as to comes from that direction. there being no question about America is an extraordinary place research showing that after a for creating new technologies and certain point, money does not great things are going on in that make one more happy, because sphere, in spite of the dreadful Layard’s study has been repeated political situation with an inability to get commitment there.

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Q. Much has been said today matters whether the rate of GDP

about the role of CO2, but growth per capita is 1.95% or nothing or very little about 2%. In order to deal with climate methane... change we do not need to A. (Lord Turner) Methane’s sacrifice growth, but believe that incredibly important and a much growth should not be objective more powerful greenhouse gas but the result of other desirable outcomes such as a liberal per tonne of emissions than CO2, but exists in much smaller quanti- economy and freedom of people ties, fortunately. It’s very important to innovate. in the models of potential non- Q. Why did you not mention linear feedbacks within models. If creation of a UK green investment we warm the earth to the point bank and would Scotland be the that we melt the Arctic tundra, we appropriate home for this bank? may release methane to the point that the situation really runs away A. (Lord Turner) Because there’s from us. It’s also important to UK only so much time in a lecture. But climate change targets, principally the Climate Change Committee is in the form of landfill sites (but very much in support of the green methane emissions have already investment bank, but have no come down a great deal) and point of view as to location. cows and sheep which produce A. (Professor Sugden) Predictabili- methane. Leaky pipes in gas ty on gaining access to local distribution system are also non finance at a regional and local trivial. Agriculture is the main scale and tailored to renewables is challenge, as we have no techno- important. Renewables take logical solutions to that so far. longer to give full return on high Q. Quite a few American cities, in up-front cost. We were impressed spite of their national position, by the Co-operative Bank in signed up to the Kyoto Protocol Sweden and the UK. and have been investing in Q. I’m Maitland Mackie, the maker sustainable transport systems. Do of the only carbon-positive ice you agree that compact cities have cream in the world! Agriculture: many assets, enabling them to why not lead us farmers towards prosper whilst responding to minimum tillage? We’ve been climate change? trying it for ten years but bureau- A. (Lord Turner) I’d agree – crats in Brussels have stopped the compact cities can be environmen- production of the only weedkillers tally sustainable and economically that can keep the grass weeds and socially vibrant. I don’t think it out.

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A. (Lord Turner) I’m not fully trate on the energy crisis, we will familiar with details of minimum make much faster progress in tillage, but we are looking at all dealing with the others? the technologies with the help of A. (Lord Turner) If you mean by the Scottish Agricultural College. that the peak oil and we are A. (Professor Sugden) Our report running out in any case...my main has a large section on land use worry about fossil fuels in relation management and how carbon can to climate change is not how few be retained in the soils and they are but how many they are. If vegetation and we were very I could arrange for aliens to struck about the potential both to invade earth and steal three sequester carbon and to save quarters of our coal, I’m very sure farmers money. We discuss low that we would come up with tillage as a method of storing climate change solutions at very carbon in the soil, and there are low cost because we didn’t have different views about its efficacy. the fossil fuels to burn, but there’s Q Isn’t the feed-in tariff a scheme so much coal, gas and shale gas that is causing people to invest out there (the accessing of which large sums on tiny outputs could do great environmental instead of focusing that money on damage). bigger and better systems of Q. This Inquiry has not been energy reduction? independent, but biased – why A. (Lord Turner) The residential were there no scientists with feed-in tariff is a fairly expensive opposing views on it? There’s way of getting carbon reductions, been no mention of anthropo- genic CO nor solar winds, and particularly if putting solar photo- 2, voltaic (PV) cells on roofs. But solar why did you not mention the UN PV will probably be the greatest report that says we need to technology, because most of our subjugate the individual to world energy comes from the sun and government? there are signs that it may be cost- A. (Professor Sugden) Why not effective eventually, even in cloudy have someone opposing on the Britain. Today, however, the UK is Committee? We accepted that not the place to drive solar PV, but climate change posed a risk to sunny parts of the world such as Society and that this justified our the US and Australia are, and it’s focus on the barriers to cutting not for UK to invest in it yet. carbon. Q. We’ve an energy crisis, a food A. (Lord Turner) Why did I not crisis and an environmental crisis. mention that UN report? Because I Do you agree that if we concen- haven’t read it. The anthropogenic

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CO2 as opposed to natural CO2 is grid that gives precise signals to a very poor argument. If we are tell people when to charge. creating a smaller proportion of Q. Have we got things right by CO than is naturally occurring, 2 handing over power and energy that doesn’t alter the fact that we generation to private companies are changing the system dynam- which derive profits and have ics. caused confusion by creating Q. Would you comment on thousands of different tariffs? hydrogen as a future fuel source? A. (Lord Turner) Yes, we can do it A. (Lord Turner) We see hydrogen with private electricity companies. as an important energy storage There’s nothing incompatible so device rather than as a source, and long as we have the right regula- we are open minded as to its role tion, and the government is in comparison with different kinds putting in a more coherent of batteries. Although we think it system. I’m confident we can feasible to run cars off electricity achieve what we need with a from batteries, we think it unlikely privatised electricity system. that we’ll run HGVs on that, given A. (Professor Sugden) We found the distances they have to go and the private commercial companies size of the battery needed, so have really taken the lead and are hydrogen-based engines may be investing on a huge scale in the future for HGVs and maybe electricity generation. The lack of for bus fleets. integration of the grid we did see Q. Could you expand on standby as a problem. The lack of strategic generation – how it’s achieved planning is an issue for us. and what proportion of wind Q. Can we be mindful when farms are capable of generating excited about new emerging electricity for more than half the technologies that there are older time? ones that work? Biomass has A. (Lord Turner) Standby genera- many applications, but when we tion and intermittency – sometime cut down forest in Canada to ship the wind is blowing and some- it to Dundee to put in a biomass times not. The logical standby plant, it is lunacy. now is gas CCGT. The more that A. (Lord Turner) On the need to you connect the grid, the more look at old technologies. Tidal you’ll get a balance of technolo- range is proven technology. The gies used. If we have an electrified issue is how much potential is surface transport system, people there. The Severn River has huge will charge batteries when the scope. We could get about 4% of wind is blowing. This requires a our electricity from a Severn

236 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums barrage. The cost and environ- A. (Lord Turner) Broadly speaking, mental impact are big questions we are concentrating on making and it divides environmental more specific technological groups. I think it’s a possibility advances rather than on trying to and an acceptable way forward. address complex social challenges. On biomass, I totally agree with A. (Professor Sugden) The words you. We are doing a report on ‘Climate Change’ may have which forms of biomass are slipped out of the headlines but sustainable and which are not. perhaps this allows good work to Q. Many of the problems of go on behind the scenes. coherence have been known for a long time. Has there been a slowdown in recent years in addressing these problems in order to make progress in other areas?

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PUBLICATIONS Proceedings A: Mathematics Policy Advice Six issues were published: Parts Digital Scotland - RSE Committee 140.5 & 140.6 (2010) and 141.1, of Inquiry Report (Oct 2010). 141.2, 141.3, 141.4 (2011) ISBN: 9780902198364

Earth and Environmental Facing up to climate change: Science Transactions breaking the barriers to a low- carbon Scotland - RSE Committee Seven issues were published: of Inquiry Summary Report Parts 100.3, 100.4, 101.1, 101.2, (March 2011). ISBN: 101.3, 101.4, 102.1 including a 9780902198517 special Issue entitled 101.3/4 Late Triassic Terrestrial Biotas and the Facing up to climate change: Rise of Dinosaurs breaking the barriers to a low- carbon Scotland - RSE Committee ReSourcE – the RSE’s Newsletter: of Inquiry Report (March 2011). Issues 29, 30, 31 and 32 ISBN: 9780902198463

RSE Directory 2011 Conference Proceedings Royal Society of Edinburgh in RSE Annual Review 2011 partnership with the Northern (April 2010-March 2011) Lighthouse Board

Science Scotland Royal Society of Edinburgh Three issue were published: No. 9 (2011). The Bell Rock Lighthouse, Towards a Greener Future, No. 10 the Stevensons and Emerging Informatics, No.11 The Search for Issues in Aids to Navigation. New Drugs Edinburgh: Royal Society of Edinburgh ISBN: 9780902198418

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POLICY ADVICE INQUIRIES focused on the findings of the Facing up to Climate Change: Inquiry and the implications for Breaking the Barriers to a Low Scotland, looking first to public Carbon Scotland bodies (local authorities, educa- tion, water), then to key economic During the 2010/11 Session the sectors (finance, energy, other Society published the Report of industry, heating, transport and it’s Inquiry into Facing up to land use). Climate Change. The Inquiry examined the obstacles that are Finally the Report looked at the stopping us from taking steps pervasive challenges arising from towards a low-carbon society. It multi-level governance and how recognised that there is a wealth they may be addressed. It is this of activity at EU, UK and Scottish analysis that formed the basis of level, including in local authori- ten Primary Recommendations, ties, communities, and and sets out also 30 Supplemen- households and civil society, but tary Recommendations aimed at that there is an acute need for policy makers in the specific coherence and integration sectors outlined above. between these levels. Primary Recommendations: The Inquiry Report set out 10 - The UK Government should Primary Recommendations aimed urgently improve the infrastruc- at helping policy makers to design ture and management of the policy in such a way that it electricity grid in Scotland to overcomes the barriers. It called optimise the development of for government and organisations renewable energy and to permit to embed low-carbon policies the export of surplus renewable across all functions and for closer energy. engagement between people, civil - The Scottish and UK Govern- society, market and state. ments need to retrofit existing The Report considered the issue regulation to achieve a balance of climate change, sustainability with the need to reduce carbon and opportunities for creating a emissions. more sustainable, fairer world. It - The Scottish Government looked at the science of climate should work with local authori- change and its implications at ties and businesses to align and both a global and Scottish scale sharpen regulation in order to and outlines the economic, social achieve a step change in energy and environmental contexts that efficiency in buildings and shape Scotland’s move to a low- transport. carbon future. The Report then

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- The Scottish Government and SUBMISSIONS local authorities should jointly During the session, the Society introduce truly integrated submitted comments on the polices in order to achieve following reports: effective reductions in emissions at a regional level. November 2010 - The Scottish Government AP 10-13 An Agenda for Research should develop a spatially- at a time of Educational Reform in referenced national land use Scotland plan integrated with regional AP 10-14 The Double Jeopardy strategic plans in order to (Scotland) Bill optimise carbon sequestration. BP 10-01 Scottish Government - The finance industry should take Parliamentary Debate: Curriculum a lead and work with govern- for Excellence ment to create the business December 2010 environment that will mobilise private finance in support of a AP 10-15 Innovation-Friendly low-carbon society. Scotland: Priorities for Innovation & Business Development - All organisations should appraise their goals and AP 10-16 A Land Use Strategy for practices in the light of the Scotland urgency to achieve a low-carbon January 2011 society. AP 11-01 Teaching of History in - Local authorities should inte- Scottish Schools grate and embed their low-carbon policies across all February 2011 their various functions. AP 11-02 Scotland's Next Energy - The Scottish Government and Revolution local authorities should actively AP 11-03 Future of Higher assist local communities to Education in Scotland introduce low-carbon initiatives. BP 11-01 Future of Agricultural - Closer engagement is needed Support in Scotland between people, civil society, March 2011 market and state in the pursuit of Scotland’s low-carbon vision. AP 11-04 Management of Flood Risks AP 11-05 SQA History Course Rationale

242 Policy Advice

May 2011 August 2011 AP 11-06 Towards a Common AP 11-10 Science as a Public Strategic Framework for EU Enterprise: a response to the Royal Research and Innovation Funding: Society of London. a response to the European AP 11-11 Re-shaping the medical Commission workforce: a response to the June 2011 Scottish Government AP 11-07 Carloway Review of the AP 11-14 The role of Chief Law and Practice Relating to the Scientific Advisers: a response to Detention and Questioning of the House of Lord's Select Com- Suspects mittee AP11-08 The National Marine BP 11-03 Briefing for the Rural Plan: a response to the Scottish Affairs, Climate Change and Government’s pre-consultation Environment Committee AP 11-09 Influenza Pandemic September 2011 Preparedness Strategy: a response AP 11-12 Preventative Spending to the UK Government and in the 2012-13 Draft Budget and Devolved Administrations Spending Review BP 11-02 Scottish School Educa- AP 11-13 Governance of Higher tion Issues: a briefing for the Education in Scotland Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee BP 11-04 The Low-Carbon Economy: a briefing for Members of the Scottish Parliament AP 11-14 Role and function of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers

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SCOTTISH BIOINFORMATICS FORUM Set up in 2001 under the stewardship of Scottish Enterprise to establish Scotland as a globally recognised and leading location for conducting cutting edge bioinformatics research and sustainable commercial activity, the SBF operated and was nurtured under the auspices of The RSE Scotland Foundation between 2008 and 2011. Having matured as an initiative, gained acceptance and had significant interactions and impact across Scotland and further afield, the SBF's activities were transferred in 2011 to Nexxus.

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EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Christmas Lecture 2010 RSE @ School Talks In 2010 the RSE teamed up with RSE@School talks are available for BBC Scotland to webcast its P6-S6 pupils. These talks aim to prestigious Annual Christmas enthuse and excite students on a Lecture live across the UK. Speaker wide range of topics such as Allan Little, the distinguished BBC astronomy, maths, biology and World Affairs Correspondent, the arts. A wide variety of speakers delivered his lecture, Reporting contribute to the programme and the World in an Age of Conflict, they are keen to show their live from Stranraer Academy on 10 enthusiasm for their subject. December. Horned Helmets & Holy Folk: Masterclasses October 2010 Language and Landscape of South and May 2011 West Scotland. Professor Jeremy In October and November 2010 Smith. Sanquhar Academy. the RSE ran 16 masterclasses Wind, Water & Waves. Professor across 4 universities (Dundee, Geoffrey Boulton. Lockerbie Herriot-Watt, Glasgow and St Academy. Andrews) In May/June 2011 the Renewable Energy. Ms Karen RSE ran another 19 masterclasses Ritchie, The Hydroge Office. over 5 universities (same universi- Hottsbridge, Hightae and Hutton ties as before with the addition of Primaries, Lockerbie. Aberdeen). My Great Adventure – Wildfowl & Discussion Forum March 2011 Wetland Trust. Brian Morrell – On 15 March 2011, the Royal Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Loch- Society of Edinburgh played host side Primary School, Dumfries. to the Avatar Debate LIVE. Two Identity: Facial Reconstruction - expert speakers were on hand to Caroline Erolin, University of introduce the pupils from Douglas Dundee. . Academy and Braes High School to the issues at hand. The pupils Bonnie Dunbar. Schools Talk were then divided into four Glasgow Science Centre. groups with each group set a for Selkies, Kelpies and Watery Tales or against stance on one of the Family Storytelling Activity (Various two questions. Discussion and Schools from the Dumfries and research time was given to each Galloway Region). group to allow the consolidation A Guided Tour of the Universe of ideas and formation of cogent Grangemouth High School. arguments. The resulting presen- tations from each group formed The Business Experience, Stranraer the basis of a fascinating debate. Academy.

247 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Senior Master Class–Art. Various Senior Master Class–Drama. Dumfries and Galloway Schools. Various Dumfries and Galloway Senior Master Class –Creative Schools. Writing. Various Dumfries and Mathematics in the real world. Galloway Schools. Dumfries Academy. Senior Master Class–Film and Television. Various Dumfries and Galloway Schools.

248 RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE AWARDS The following awards were made in Session 2010/2011

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

CRF European Visits from Neil MacCormick. University of Scotland to Europe Lausanne, Laboratory of Sociology Dr Jonathan Gibson Blackwood. Dr Jonathan Delafield-Butt. Visual Culture Before, During and Advancing a solution to the After Yugoslavia. University of composituin problem in the Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone philosophy of mind. Københavns College of Art & Design. Universitet, Institut for Psykologi . Dr Olivier Salazar-Ferrer. Dr Ema Jelinkova. Rachel Bespaloff’s manuscript The “Twin Compasses” and the L’Instant et la liberté. University of Idea of Scottish Diasporic Writing. Glasgow, School of Modern Palacky University, Department of Languages and Cultures - French English and American Studies. Section. Professor Igor Maver. Dr Rebecca Sweetman. Fanny Susan Copeland - Between Late Antique churches as evidence Scotland and Central Europe. for the diachronic complexities of University of Ljubljana, Faculty of the Christianization of the Arts. Peloponnese. University of St CRF Personal Andrews, School of Classics. Dr Megan MacLeod. CRF European Visits from Protective functional responses of Europe to Scotland CD4 memory T cells. University of Dr Maksymilian Thomas Del Mar. Glasgow, Institute of Infection, An Introduction to the Scholar- Immunology and Inflammation . ship and Public Life of the late Sir

249 Review of the Session 2010-2011

ENTERPRISE FELLOWSHIPS

BBSRC Mr Alexander Cole. Dr Margaret Anne Craig. Project Galatea – A 3D Gesture Clyde Bioscience - improving the based Interface. University of probability of success in early Edinburgh, School of Informatics. stage drug discovery. University of Mr Jason Kenneth Cook. Glasgow, Institute of Cardiovas- Farm Scale Gasification of Agricul- cular and Medical Sciences. tural Residues to Produce Heat, Professor Ian Robert Henderson. Power and Biochar. University of Improved delivery of recombinant Edinburgh, Department of proteins to the extracellular Geosciences. milieu. University of Birmingham, Dr Nart Daghestani. School of Immunity and Infection. THz systems based on ultrafast Dr Ekaterina Olegovna McKenna. semiconductor lasers. University of Low-volume reactor chip for Dundee, Department of Electronic biological micro- and nano-array Engineering & Physics. probing. Institute of Molecular, Dr Soumya Soman Palliyil. Cell and Systems Biology, School Anti-infective biologics for of Medical, Veterinary and Life controlling infectious diseases. Sciences, University of Glasgow. University of Aberdeen, School of Scottish Enterprise Medical Sciences. Dr Farid Amalou. Mr Spyridon Edouard Tsakas. Microfluidic based solutions for Double Vial Reactor/Medical biochemical and biomedical Device. University of Edinburgh applications. Heriot-Watt Univer- Business School. sity, School of Engineering & Dr Iain Hector Woodhouse. Physical Sciences. cArbomap: Airborne imaging Mr Matthew Bett. multi spectral canopy lidar for the Commercial development of the determination of canopy struc- “Motus” virtual camera system for ture, physiology and forest use in creative industries. Universi- carbon. School of Geosciences, ty of Abertay Dundee, Institute of University of Edinburgh. Art, Media and Games. Dr Ammar Zaher. Dr Christopher Glyn Capus. Vehicle Data Logger (DLog). Hydrason Solutions. School of University of Strathclyde, Electron- Engineering & Physical Sciences, ic & Electrical Engineering. Heriot-Watt University.

250 Research and Enterprise Awards

ARTS AND HUMANITIES AWARDS

Arts & Humanities Small Grants Professor John Stewart, Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Dr David Archibald, University of Law and Social Sciences. Glasgow, School of Culture and The Dangerous Age of Childhood: Creative Arts. Child Guidance in Britain, 1920- Tracking Loach in Scotland: The 1955. Angels’ Share from Inception to Reception. Dr Annie Tindley, Glasgow Caledonian University, Depart- Professor Robert Crawford, ment of Social Sciences, School of , School Law and Social Sciences. of English. The aristocratic sinews of Empire: Body Bags / Simonides. Imperial land reform 1840 - 1895. Dr Jonathan Hope, University of Dr Frances Wilkins, University of Strathclyde, School of Humanities. Aberdeen, Department of Music. The Digital Renaissance: mapping Scots in the Sub-Arctic: Musical the language of drama 1550- Fingerprints among the Cree 1700. Fiddlers of James Bay. Dr Ben Marsh, University of Arts & Humanities Research Stirling, School of History & Workshops Politics. The History of Attempts to Mr David Forsyth, National Cultivate Silk in the Atlantic Museums Scotland. Dr Wendy World, c.1500-1840: French Ugolini, Scottish Centre for connections. Diaspora Studies, University of Edinburgh. Dr Andrew Perchard, University of ‘Wha bears a blade for Scotland?’: Strathclyde, Scottish Oral History the construction of Scottish Centre, Faculty of Humanities & diasporic military identities, Social Sciences. c 1880-present day. Community, Legacy and Memory in the Scottish Coalfields. Dr Mark Freeman, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Dr James Smyth, University of Glasgow. Stirling, School of History and Historians of Education in Scot- Politics. land (HEdScot): A Research Lest Scotland Forgets: recording Workshop. the nation’s Great War Memorials. Dr Kay Goodall , University of Stirling, School of Law. Conceptualising the ‘racial’ in Scots criminal law.

251 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Dr Bernadette O’Rourke, Heriot- Dr Andrew Jennings, UHI Milleni- Watt University, School of um Institute, Centre for Nordic Management and Languages. Dr Studies. Dr Arne Kruse, Senior Wilson McLeod, Celtic & Scottish Lecturer, Division of European Studies, University of Edinburgh. Languages and Cultures, Universi- New speakers of minority lan- ty of Edinburgh. guages: A dialogue. The Hjaltland Research Network: Dr Rachel Smith, Dr Tamara Mapping Viking Age. Shetland Rathcke, University of Glasgow, Dr David Shuttleton,University of Department of English Language. Glasgow, School of Critical Rhythms in Scotland Workshop Studies (English Literature). Dr Programme. Gavin Miller, School of Health in Professor Claire Squires, University Social Science, University of of Stirling, Department of English Edinburgh, Medical Humanities Studies. Professor David Finkel- Research Network Scotland stein, School ofArts & Social (MHRNS). Sciences, Queen Margaret Theory into Practice: Critical University. Approaches and Cross-Disciplinary Edinburgh Book Events: The Dialogue. Transnational Culture, Commerce Arts & Humanities Major and Social Impact Literary Festivals. Research Grants 2011 Arts & Humanities Research Dr Penny Fielding, University of Networks Edinburgh English Literature. Dr Murray Frame, University of The New Edinburgh Edition of the Dundee, School of Humanities . Collected Works of Robert Louis Professor Nick Fyfe, Director of the Stevenson Scottish Institute for Policing Dr Stana Nenadic, University of Research, University of Dundee. Edinburgh School of History, Crime and Policing in Scotland: Classics and Archaeology. Past and Present. “Turkey Red” and Other Decorative Professor Dina Iordanova, Dr Alex Textiles in Scotland’s Culture and Marlow-Mann, University of St Global Impact, 1800 to Present Andrews, Centre for Film Studies Scottish Film Festival Studies. Network (SFFS).

252 Research and Enterprise Awards

SCOTTISH CRUCIBLE

Dr Julia Allan Dr Christine Knight Dr Thomas Aspray Dr Per Ola Kristensson Dr Leif Azzopardi Dr Richard Kyle Dr Catherine Berry Dr Sarah Martin Dr Henry Bookey Dr David McGuire Dr Qin Chen Dr Abel Polese Dr Emilie Combet Dr Stella Pytharouli Dr Paul Crook Dr Stuart Reid Dr Sarah Dillon Dr Kenneth Scott-Brown Dr Mary Doherty Dr Jane Stanley Dr Jennifer Gregory Dr Manlio Tassieri Dr Heather Haynes Dr Annie Tindley Dr Stefan Hild Dr Catherine Tsang Dr Euan Kay Dr Maria Valdes-Hernandez Dr Lorraine Kerr Dr Marjon Van der Pol Dr Andrew Wodehouse

RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES

Piazzi Smyth Bequest Ms Hannah Jones. Mr Koki Kakiichi. MHD Mode Conversion in a Diffuse infra-red haloes around Stratified Isothermal Atmosphere the first galaxies during the Epoch in Two Dimensions. of Reionization. Mr James McLeman. Cormack Vacation Scholarships Star Formation From Dark Filamen- tary Clouds. Mr Oliver Allanson. The Distribution of Magnetix Flux Ms Semeli Papadogiannakis. Features as observed by SDO. A Minimum Energy Approach to Galactic Exploration Using Von Mr David Barr. Neumann Probes. The importance of Jupiter in Earth-like systems. Mr Colin Clark. X-ray Imaging Spectroscopy Diagnostics of Solar Flare Acceler- ated Electrons.

253 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Lessells Travel Scholarships Auber Bequest Award Mr Douglas Aitken. Professor James Leland Cox. The Novel Approaches of using algae Invention of God in Indigenous to reduce the carbon foot-print of Societies. wastewater treatment plants. MacLagan Travel Grant Mr Giuliano Punzo. Professor Xavier Lambin Swarm Manoeuvring using Cascading impacts of Europe-wide Emergent Behaviour and Commu- changes in herbivorous small nication Network Influence. mammal abundance: changing cyclic dynamics and impact on Ms Holly Smith. predators Digital Image Analysis for Deflec- tion Measurements during Lloyds TSB Foundation Student- Structures and Fire Experiments. ship Ms Abeer Syed. Mr Mark Horne. Low Cost Microfluidic Diagnostics The effect of Visual and Verbal for Sleeping Sickness. Tasks on Secondary Task Perform- ance in Older Adults. Carnegie Caledonian Scholar- ships Mr Michael Ferguson. An examination of the issues of “active participation” and “quality” in Roman Catholic liturgical music in Scotland, post-Vatican II: a critical re-evaluation through the composition of new sacred music. Miss Nicola Ann McCallum. Evaluation of post-mortem mRNA stability.

254 MEDALS, PRIZES AND PRIZE LECTURESHIPS BP Hutton Prize 2011 IEEE/RSE/Wolfson/James Clerk Dr David Wright Maxwell Award Beltane Public Engagement Professor M E Hoff Innovator’s Prize Royal Medals Ms Joanna Brooks Baroness Helena Kennedy Beltane Public Engagement Professor Noreen Murray, FRSE Senior Prize Professor Aubrey Manning, FRSE Professor Stanley Desmond Smith, FRSE Gannochy Trust Innovation Award Mr M J R McGrath

255

GRANTS COMMITTEE The Grants Committee considered 20 applications and a sum of £12,600 was awarded. Approximately 70% of this sum was awarded as travel assistance.

Travel Assistance Support for Meetings Professor D Blackwood. For travel Professor P Beaumont. Interna- to Pakistan. £950 tional Surrogacy Arrangements. Professor D Sleeman. For travel to £500 Canada. £950 Professor G Caie. Keeping in Professor B Straughan. For travel Touch: Accessing and Understand- to the USA. £950 ing Medieval Manuscripts. £750 Professor J C Brown. For travel to Professor D McCrone. The Crisis of the USA. £700 SocialDemocracy? £500 Professor K Brown. For travel to Professor I Ralston. Scotland and China. £800 Beyond: Early Medieval Carved Stones. £750 Professor D Hewitt. For travel to the USA. £800 Professor N Rapport. The Imagina- tion: A universal process of Professor D Law. For travel to knowledge. £500 Puerto Rico. £800 Professor P Brophy. Neurodevelop- Professor B Crawford. For travel to mental Disorders Across the the Ukraine. £500 Lifespan. £750 Professor J Wright. For travel to Mexico. £900 Maclagan Travel Grant Professor X Lambin. For travel to the USA and Canada. £1,500

257

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME 7 October 2010 The event was a follow-up to the The General Secretary of the 1st Norway-Scotland Internal Norwegian Academy of Science Waves Symposium, held in and Letters, Professor Øivind Norway in October 2008. Both Andersen, with which the RSE has events were directed jointly by a Memorandum of Understand- Professors Peter Davies FRSE ing, visited the RSE. (University of Dundee) and John Grue DNVA (University of Oslo). 7 October 2010 10 November 2010 The RSE and the French Embassy in London are collaborating in a The Second MacCormick Europe- three-year programme of science an Lecture, named in recognition events designed to explore and of the contribution made by the publicly present areas of science late Professor Sir Neil MacCormick where both Scotland and France to Scottish and European politics have a powerful presence. The and the international work of the keynote lecture in this first year RSE, took place at the RSE in was given by Professor Chris November 2010. The lecture, Bishop FRSE, Microsoft Research entitled European Foreign Policy – LTD and Professor Gérard Berry, is it Desirable and Possible? was Collège de France. given by The Rt Hon Lord (Chris) Patten of Barnes CH to a capacity October 2010 audience. The RSE President, Lord Wilson of 16 June 2011 Tilyorn, visited China in October 2010. During his time he met The RSE International Committee with counterparts at the Chinese invited members of the Consular Academy of Sciences and the Corps to the RSE to meet with the National Natural Science Founda- RSE President and International tion of China, both of which the Convener. The purpose of the RSE has Memoranda of Under- meeting was to raise awareness of standing with. the RSE’s activities, specifically the International Programme, and to November 2010 consider how the RSE and The Society hosted the 2nd members of the Consular Corps Norway-Scotland Internal Waves can work together more. Symposium on 1-2 November 17 June 2011 2010, under the auspices of the bilateral agreement signed in The RSE hosted a delegation of 20 2005 between the Royal Society representing a range of branches of Edinburgh and the Norwegian of the Chinese Academy of Academy of Science and Letters. Sciences. The delegation was

259 Review of the Session 2010-2011

particularly interested in the RSE’s 29 September 2011 International Programme and our Following the Consular Corps visit policy and advice work. to the RSE in June, the RSE and 25 August 2011 the Consulate General of the The RSE arranged, in association Republic of Poland organised a with British Council Scotland, the joint lecture entitled “Nation, Institute for Advanced Studies in Town, Memory – Krakow Experi- the Humanities, RSA UK and ence”. The lecture was given by UNESCO UKNC Scotland Commit- Professor Dr Jacek Purchla, tee, a discussion forum as part of Professor of Humanities, Jagiello- the Festival of Politics. The forum, nian University. entitled “Whose heritage, whose society?” looked at how culture, in all its forms, can help us to understand better Scotland's place in the world, as well as addressing the issues that face Scottish and global society.

260 International

Exchanges Awarded during the Session

Czech Republic - Outgoing India - Incoming Dr A Bryzgel, University of Aber- Professor J R Seckl FRSE, Queen’s deen. Medical Research Institute. Tomas Winter, Institute of Art Dr Rakesh Shukla, Central Drug History, the Academy of Sciences Research Institute. of the Czech Republic. Dr D Greenhalgh, University of Czech Republic - Incoming Strathclyde. Dr Priti Kumar Roy, Jadavpur Dr D Wann, University of Edin- University. burgh. Dr Drahomir Hnyk, Institute of Professor P Smith FRSE, University Inorganic Chemistry of the of Aberdeen. Academy of Sciences of the Czech Dr Nandita Ghoshal, Banaras Republic. Hindu University. Hungary - Incoming Professor X W Ni, Heriot-Watt University. Dr D E L Cooke, James Hutton Dr Parag Ratnakar Gogate, Institute. Institute of Chemical Technology, Dr Zoltan Nagy, Plant Protection Mumbai. Unit, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Dr G Cowie, University of Edin- burgh. Professor C W J Withers FBA FRSE, Dr Pratima Kessarkar, National University of Edinburgh. Institute of Oceanography. Dr Robert Gyori, Eotvos Lorand University, Hungary. Dr G Dobson, Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI). Dr J Henry , University of Edin- Associate Professor Sharangi Amit burgh. Baran, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Dr Tamas Demeter, Institute for Viswavidyalaya (Agricultural Philosophical Research, Hungarian University). Academy of Sciences, Hungary. Professor MNVR Kumar, University Professor D M F Van Aalten FRSE, of Strathclyde. University of Dundee. Dr Gupta Kailash Chand, Indian Dr Tamas Nagy, University of Pecs, Institute of Toxicology Research. Hungary.

261 Review of the Session 2010-2011

India - Outgoing Poland - Incoming Dr A Adya , University of Abertay Professor D Cairns, University of Dundee. Edinburgh. Professor Ajit Varma, Amity Assistant Professor Robert University Uttar Pradesh. Zaborowski, Institute for History Professor R Ocone FRSE, Heriot- of Science, The Polish Academy of Watt University. Sciences. Professor Raj Chhabra, Indian Professor D I Perrett FBA FRSE, Institute of Technology. University of St Andrews. Italy - Incoming Dr Dariusz Danel, Institute of Anthropology, The Polish Acade- Professor E Trucco, University of my of Sciences. Dundee. Dr Carmen Lupascu, Universita Poland - Outgoing degli Studi di Palermo; Dr D C Worthington, University of Associate Professor Domenico the Highlands and Islands. Tegolo, University of Palermo. Professor Waldemar Kowalski, Jan Malaysia - Outgoing Kochanowski University. Dr R Dekkers, University of the Slovenia - Outgoing West of Scotland. Dr V Blok, University of Dundee. Dr Kanagi Kanapathy, University of Dr Sasa Sirca, Agricultural Institute Malaya. of Slovenia. Pakistan - Incoming Taiwan - Incoming Professor J P Attfield FRSE, Dr A Jump, University of Stirling. University of Edinburgh. Professor Chaur-Tzuhn Chen, Assistant Professor Falak Sher, National Pingtung University of Lahore University of Management Science and Technology. Sciences. Professor Kenneth Gibb, Universi- Professor L Lawton, Robert ty of Glasgow. Gordon University. Assistant Professor Oliver Shyr, Assistant Professor Muhammad National Cheng Kung University. Khurram, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technol- ogy. Dr C French, University of Edin- burgh. Dr Toqeer Ahmed, Preston University, Pakistan.

262 International

Taiwan - Outgoing Nepal - Dr M Watson, Royal Professor S Gibb, University of the Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Highlands and Islands. Dr Mohan Prasad Devkota, Professor Chon-Lin Lee, National Tribhuvan University. Sun Yat-Sen University. Ukraine - Professor C Wallace, Dr K Boyd, University of the University of Aberdeen. Highlands and Islands. Dr Svitlana Babenko, University of Professor Chon-Lin Lee, National Kiev. Sun Yat-Sen University. Outgoing Dr A Jump, University of Stirling. Australia - Dr T George, Scottish Professor Chaur-Tzuhn Chen, Crop Research Institute (SCRI). National Pingtung University of Dr Alan Richardson, CSIRO Plant Science and Technology. Industry. Dr M Hughes, Royal Botanic Canada - Dr G Morozov, Universi- Garden Edinburgh. ty of the West of Scotland. Dr Ching-I Peng, Academia Sinica. Professor Donald Sprung, McMas- OPEN PROGRAMME ter University. Incoming Canada - Dr R Cooper, Edinburgh Napier University. Bangladesh - Dr R Raeside, Professor Alan Kingstone, The Edinburgh Napier University. University of British Columbia. Associate Professor Kaberi Gayen, University of Dhaka. China - Dr Y Guo, University of Aberdeen. Canada - Professor D McCulloch, Professor Danxun Li, Tsinghua Glasgow Caledonian University. University. Professor Margot Taylor, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. China - Professor N Zhelev, University of Abertay Dundee. Cuba - Dr MJ Bain, University of Professor Qingge Li, Xiamen Aberdeen. University. Liliana Fernandez Mollinedo, Universidad de La Habana (Univer- Mexico - Dr K Mackenzie, Univer- sity of Havana). sity of Aberdeen. Dr Sergio Guillen Hernandez, Italy - Dr F Stuart, Scottish Universidad Autonoma de Universities Environmental Yucatan. Research Centre. Dr Matteo Maino, University of Nepal - Dr A Nightingale, Univer- Pavia. sity of Edinburgh Dr Naya Sharma Paudel, Forest Action Nepal.

263 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Netherlands - Dr R Fu, University Ukraine - Dr R Stephenson, of the West of Scotland (with University of Aberdeen. Professor F Placido). Professor V. I. Starostenko, Professor De Hosson and Dr Pei, Institute of Geophysics, National University of Groningen. Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. South Africa - Dr F Moore, USA - Dr M Chrisman, University University of Abertay Dundee. of Edinburgh. Dr Vinet Coetzee, University of Professor Mark Schroeder, Pretoria. University of South California. South Africa and Botswana - USA - Dr M Singer, University of St Professor R Lloyd, University of Andrews. Abertay Dundee. Dr Mark Marvin-DiPasquale, US Professor Simeon Davies, Cape Geological Survey. Peninsula University of Technology / Dr Jimoh Shehu, University of Botswana. South Korea - Dr M Valdes- Hernandez, University of Edinburgh. Dr Jinah Park, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technolo- gy.

264 FELLOWS’ SOCIAL EVENTS New Fellows Induction Day 2 November 2010. The earliest farmers in Britain. Roger James The New Fellows’ Induction and Mercer Admission Ceremony was held in the RSE’s Rooms in May and was 7 December 2010. Aspects of attended by 43 new Fellows. They Medical Education, a personal were given an introduction to the view. Professor J F Lamb Society by the President and met 11 January 2011. The purpose of Council members and staff, Heraldry in the 21st Century. before being formally admitted Elizabeth A Roads into the Fellowship. 1 February 2011. Building the The addition of new Fellows Bell Rock Lighthouse. Professor brought the number in the Roland A Paxton Fellowship up to 1546 - 66 Honorary Fellows; 61 Correspond- 1 March 2011. Law and Ethics. Dr ing Fellows and 1419 Ordinary Murdo Macdonald Fellows. The Royal Society Dining Club Summer Reception - 23 Septem- The Club was established on 3 ber 2011. January 1820, with the view of This highlight of the RSE's social promoting the objectives of the calendar was held at the National Royal Society of Edinburgh. In Museum of Scotland, Chambers Session 2010/2011, meetings Street, Edinburgh. were held as follows: We are grateful to the Trustees 854th Dinner - 11 October 2010 and Director of the NMS for Praeses: Dr Magnus linklater allowing us to hold this event at Croupier: Sir Muir Russell the newly refurbished Museum. December 2010 dinner - 6 This was Lord Wilson's final event December 2010 - Cancelled due before the ASM (Monday 3 to bad weather. October 2011) when he handed 855th Dinner - 4 April 2011 over to Sir John Arbuthnott. Praeses: Professor Susan Manning Fellows’ Coffee Meetings Croupier: Professor Andrew Miller Weekly Coffee Meetings were 856th Dinner - 27 June 2011 held through the Winter and Spring months, as follows: Praese: Professor Malcolm McLeod Croupier: Professor Elizabeth 12 October 2010. Innovative Moignard computer-based personal support for older people with dementia and their carers. Dr Norman Alm

265 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Fellows’ Golf The Stewart Cup match was held 2011 - The Golf House Club, Elie. on August 26th 2011 at the 26 May 2011 Carrick on Loch Lomond. Winner: Prof. Wilson Sibbett The overall team winner was Sector A - the individual winner was Ron Morrison.

266 GRANTS, SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS The Society is grateful to the following organisations for their continuing support during the Session:

BBSRC Lloyds TSB Foundation for BP Research Fellowship Trust Scotland Caledonian Research Foundation Scottish Enterprise Lessells Trust Scottish Government and also to the following for their support for specific events and activities during the financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12

Buccleuch Charitable Foundation Microsoft Research Anonymous National Telford Institute Arts & Humananities Research Ove Arup & Partners Scotland Ltd Council Royal Academy of Engineering Brightsolid Online Innovation Ltd Society of Biology Chartered Institute for IT (CAS) Scotland IS Ltd City of Edinburgh Council Scottish Cancer Foundation Darwin Trust Scottish Funding Council Edinburgh Beltane Scottish Information & Computer Edinburgh Consortium for Rural Science Alliance Research Scottish Natural Heritage Edinburgh Napier University Scottish Water Education Scotland The Holywood Trust Forestry Commission Scotland University of Edinburgh French Embassy University of Glasgow Heriot-Watt University University of the West of Scotland Inchcape Shipping Services WMD Awareness Group James Weir Foundation Wolfson Microelectronics plc Lloyds Banking Group Scotland

267

FRIENDS OF THE SOCIETY In 2009 the RSE launched Friends of the Society, a corporate engagement scheme established with the purpose of developing the RSE’s relationship with Scotland’s business sector. The initiative provides an opportunity for the “Friends” to find out more about the RSE and the important work it carries out. It also presents the RSE and its corporate partners with a platform to explore areas of mutual interest and develop joint projects. Members of the scheme also receive a number of tangible benefits in return for a modest annual fee.

During the financial year 2010-11 the members were .

Aegon RBS BP Scottish Enterprise Lloyds Banking Group Shell Arup Wood Group

269

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

14 60 - 937 ,633 02,345 67,470 48,600 122,650 Value

54,988 58,553 82,688 105 100,1 298,540 63,525 3 46,085 80,7 349,7 24 107,717 297,988 70,00 0 1 268,478 271,

- Market Closing

470 779 (560) 2,949 1,590 6,714 7,425 2,065 1,798 2,403 8,313 (1,350) 15,125 (1,263) 14,218 (9,517) 26,567 (3,162) 16,209

4,269 4,373 - 9,928 - 3,494 (47,193) (295,615) Cost Proceeds on Sale for Year Market 285,687 - - 5,500 56,100 - - - 45,00053,00012,500 49,950 37,000 - - 67,563 53,399 - - - 59,816 ------47,000 91,415 - - - 13,000 - 60,756 - - 95,000 - 109,631 - - 80,000 - 80,290 - - 70,000 69,221 - - - 94,300 271,035 30,115 - - 93,000 99,942 - - - 83,300 255,728 - - - 83,900 257,337 46,526 No. 184,000 291,500 30,028 (53,824) 100,000 108,277 - - - 321,000 347,926 - - - Closing Opening Purchase Sales Gain/(Loss) Revaluation - 146,160 - (150,533) Value ££££ £ £ Investment Current Holdings Current Aberforth Smaller Co Trust Co Smaller Aberforth Vodafone Group 5.625% 4/12/25 5.625% Group Vodafone Investment & Unit Trusts Aberdeen Asian IncomeFund Trust Inc & Cap Geared Aberforth Trust Inc Geared Aberforth Trust inc Com Blackrock Dunedin Income Growth Inv Trust Inv Growth Income Dunedin IncomeTrustHendersonEastFar European InvestmentBank 4.125% 17 ScottishSouthern 5.875% 22/9/22 & 330,00013/12/19TescoNts 5.5% 344,020 - - - Trust Investment Keystone Inc Equity Int Funds Investment Sarasin 110,000 - 119,701 - - Provident Financial 7.5% 30/09/16 7.5% Financial Provident £0.25 Ord Trust Investment Herald Trust &Scottish Mortgage Other Fixed Interest Fixed Other Scotland7.387%2010/49R B of EuropeanBank4.75% Inv't2018 Treasury 4.75% 2015 Treasury2.5%2020Index-Linked Treasury2.5%2016Index-Linked

Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule of Investments- movements at valuation. Year Ended 31 March 2011 31 March Ended Year at valuation. movements Schedule of Investments- of Edinburgh Society Royal Gilts

271 Review of the Session 2010-2011 0 Value 136,398 79,128 52,80 68,949 194,662 160,615 161,747 94,479 54,000 58,286 42,093 133,313 36,811 182,499 166,474 53,850 93,060 Market Closing

5,087 4,702 1,450 8,888 1,662 6,762 (5,746) 18,878 22,295 (2,980) (2,877) (6,041) 18,882 (4,896) (12,031) (19,466) (11,310)

(102) (2,053) - - 47,088 Cost Proceeds on Sale for Year Market 5,500 47,713 - - - 9,400 40,002 24,245 - - 7,225 70,299 - (35,048) 3,300 73,064 24,292 - - 8,513 164,727 - - - 21,279 142,144 - - - 11,200 27,287 32,963 - - 45,000 - 97,956 - - 25,000 - 16,365 171,665 35,028 10,000- 52,550 - - - - 91,000 138,320 - - - 11,250 124,425 - - - 47,900 78,381 123,584 - - 21,000 48,219 21,377 - - 94,000 127,520 20,072 - - 12,900 46,311 49,957 (46,081) No. Closing Opening Purchase Sales Gain/(Loss) Revaluation ££££ £ £ Value Investment Current Holdings Current

HSBCOrd0.50 Holdings US$ Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule of Investments- movements at valuation. Year Ended 31 March 2011 31 March Year Ended at valuation. movements Schedule of Investments- of Edinburgh Society Royal Financials Barclays Group Securities Land Legal & General Group Ord 2.5p Ord Group General & Legal Provident Financial Ord Financial Provident Prudential Standard Life Services Firstgroup£0.50Ord £0.20 Ord Greggs Consumer Diageo Pharmaceuticals Astrazeneca Glaxo25p Smith KlineOrd Group Stagecoach UnileverOrd 1.4p Reed Elsevier Reed Teleommunications Vodafone Group $ Ord Tesco5p Ord

272 Schedule of Investments 6,064,793 Value 111,542 81,180 48,526 189,814 10,171 117,586 90,433 53,940 57,618 280,240 180,243 176,540 - Market Closing

0 4,265 8,729 3,306 14,954 20,967 (1,159) 11,319 52,316 10,336 20,421 215,610 (43,875)

(34) 44,046 10,371 - 885,912- - Cost Proceeds on Sale for Year 37,671 (913,412) 5,242,639 562,498 Market

- - 60,618 (93,085) 32,467 8,600 56,800 3,30039,788 - - 60,213 - - - 2,900 66,348 - (15,680) 5,000 147,349 38,200 - - 3,300 92,598 - (56,670) 19,000 49,685 - - - 25,900 230,035 - (45,172) (23,402) 27,800 81,704 - - - 14,000 71,565 84,555 - - 30,344 107,426 62,481 - - 12,400 206,967 63,233 (47,010) 4,734 No. Closing Opening Purchase Sales Gain/(Loss) Revaluation 2,450,876 Value ££££ £ £ Investment Current Holdings Current TotalSA Cash TOTALS Smiths Group plc Group Smiths Resources BP US$0.25 Ord .50 USD PLC Billiton BHP £0.25 Ord Hunting ScottishSouthern Energy£ 0.5 & Industrials 25p Ord G4S Rotork £0.05 Ord £1 Ord Matthey Johnson Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule of Investments- movements at valuation. Year Ended 31 March 2011 31 March Ended Year at valuation. movements Schedule of Investments- of Edinburgh Society Royal Utilities Centrica National11p Ord Grid Royal 25p Shell Ord Dutch

273

CHANGES IN FELLOWSHIP DURING THE SESSION DEATHS REPORTED TO THE SOCIETY Fellows

Frank Featherstone Bonsall Brenda Elizabeth Moon Elizabeth Graham Cutter Noreen Elizabeth Murray Michael Richmond Droop John Arthur Joseph Pateman David Patrick Frisby Russell Paterson James Grigor Alan Ferguson Rodger Alan Vernon Holden (Lord Rodger of Earlsferry) William Fleming Hoggan Jarrett Michael Louis Samuels Andrew Watt Kay Robert Firth Sellers Gordon William Kirby Harry Callender Sutton Archibald McDiarmid John Arthur Swaffield John Murdoch Mitchison

Corresponding Fellows Gavin Brown

Honorary Fellows A Cemal Eringen Jack K Hale

275 Review of the Session 2010-2011

ELECTIONS Fellows John Rex Beddington Hugh Gordon Nimmo Jill Janette Freda Belch Nigel Osborne Nigel Leslie Brown Douglas John Paul Ian Gordon Bryden Duncan Henry Pritchard Neil John Bulleid Barbara Davis Rae Javier Fernando Caceres Stephen Robert Reid Peter Eric Linstead Clarke Randolph Harvey Richards Margaret Cusack Frank Sargent Wenfei Fan Alexandra Martha Zoya Slawin Mark Andrew Girolami Julia Mary Howard Smith Seth Garran Niels Grant Jonathan Robert Spencer Iain Gilmour Gray Francis Michael Sullivan Francis Stephen Halliwell Andrew Neil Taylor Martin Anthony Hendry Paul Michael Thompson James Wilson Ironside Arthur Stewart Trew William Alexander Campbell Brian Robert Walker McKelvey Neil Craig Walker Kenneth George McKendrick Joanna Marguerite Wardlaw Allan Johnstone Massie James Robert Wright James Mitchell Klaus Zuberbuhler Vladimir Ivanovich Nikora Corresponding Fellows Alastair Vincent Campbell Christopher Arthur Hunter Jose Alberto Cuminato Norman George Lewis

Honorary Fellows

Duncan Dowson

276 STAFF CHANGES DURING THE SESSION Arrivals Departures Dr Avril Davidson, Young Academy Ms Sandra Borthwick, Administra- Manager tor, Scottish Bioinformatics Forum Ms Oonagh Carroll, Events Officer Mr Conor Hull, Education Officer Mr Jeremy Scott, Computing Dr Chris Janssen, Director, Scottish Project Officer Bioinformatics Forum Ms Maggie Twomey, Events Ms Kate Kennedy, Dumfries and Officer Galloway Project Officer Dr Caroline Wallace, Policy Officer Dr Marc Rands, Evidence and Advice Manager Mrs Sue Walker, Events Officer

Other Staff in post throughout the Session

Mr Gordon Adam, Director of Mrs Vicki Hammond, Journals and Business Development Archive Officer Ms Christel Baudère, HR Officer Mr William Hardie, Consultations Mrs Róisín Calvert-Elliott, Events Officer Manager Mrs Isabel Hastie, Admin/Recep- Mrs Catriona Blair, Events/ tionist Education Assistant Ms Martina Hlinkova, Front of Ms Sandra Borthwick, Administra- House Manager tor, Scottish Bioinformatics Forum Mr Graeme Herbert, Director of Ms Jennifer Cameron, Office Corporate Services and Deputy Services and IT Support Manager Chief Executive Dr Lesley Campbell, Fellowship, Mr Robert Hunter, Evening Policy, and Journals Manager Caretaker Ms Morven Chisholm, Interna- Mr Robert Lachlan, Accounts tional Relations Officer Officer Mr Andy Curran, Property Services Mrs Susan Lennox, Policy Officer Officer (formerly Susan Bishop) Dr William Duncan, Chief Execu- Mrs Jenny Liddell, Communica- tive tions Officer Miss Kate Ellis, Director of Finance Ms Rebecca Mann, Admin/ Mrs Anne Fraser, Research Awards Receptionist and International Manager Mr Bristow Muldoon, Parliamen- Mrs Jean Geoghegan, Accounts tary Liaison Officer Officer

277 Review of the Session 2010-2011

Miss Angela Nicholson, Records Mr Brian Scott, Technical Support Management Officer Assistant Mrs Karen O’Neill, Admin/ Mrs Sheryl Vickery, Finance Officer Receptionist (formerly Sheryl Anderson) Mr George Pendleton, Conference Mrs Doreen Waterland, PA to Centre Assistant Chief Executive and Officers Ms Tracy Rickard, Research Awards Co-ordinator

278 OBITUARY NOTICES

The Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair ...... 280 George Warburton Ashcroft ...... 283 Sir James Baddiley ...... 288 Margaret Barnes ...... 291 Sir Ivor Batchelor ...... 294 Antony John Clark ...... 296 Alan Hugh Cook ...... 299 Philip Steven Corbet ...... 302 William Murray Cormie ...... 308 William Alexander Cramond ...... 311 Jack Dainty ...... 314 Douglas Scott Falconer ...... 317 Peter Berners Fellgett ...... 321 Norman Gash ...... 325 Ronald Haxton Girdwood ...... 329 Alexander Reid Hill ...... 332 Thomas Lothian Johnston ...... 337 ...... 340 Edward McCombie McGirr ...... 345 Donald Bertram McIntyre ...... 347 Robert William Milne ...... 353 Karl Howard Overton ...... 355 Sir Rutherford Ness Robertson ...... 359 David John Tedford ...... 362 Ewart Kendall Walton ...... 365 Hamish Christopher Swan Wood ...... 369 Edward Maitland Wright ...... 373

279 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair: Inspirational musical director and teacher 29 December 1913 – 22 June 2009. This obituary was first published in The Independent on 24 June 2009. Reproduced with permission from The Independent

Throughout her long life, June hardly saw her father, who was in Boissier, the Marchioness of naval service throughout the First Aberdeen and Temair, remained World War. He became a Master at quintessentially the effective and Harrow in 1919 and subsequently hugely enthusiastic music teacher served as headmaster from which she had once been, at the January 1940 until late 1942, Bromley High School for Girls in when he became head of public the three years before the Second relations at the Ministry of Fuel World War. As Marchioness, she and Power. became chatelaine of the beauti- He was upset that his daughter ful house of Haddo, near Ellon in did not take up the place she had Aberdeenshire, which since 1974 won at Oxford University. Instead, has been in the care of the she took the advice of Sir Percy National Trust for Scotland. She Buck – King Edward Professor of was musical director of the Haddo Music at the University of London House Choral Society, now the from 1925 to 1938 – to go to the Choral and Operatic Society, for Royal College of Music. In 1939 60 years. “What she is like as a she married David Gordon, later Marchioness, I do not know,” the the fourth Marquess of Aberdeen. late violinist Yfrah Neaman told me on a Parliamentary visit to the The third Marquis of Aberdeen Guildhall School of Music. “What had been a distinguished engi- I do know is that at Bromley and neer who succeeded to the title at subsequently she has been an the age of 81. He was president of inspirational leader and teacher of the Federation of British Industries music.” from 1940 to 1943, and, blessed with a natural tenor voice, sang In the north east of Scotland, June with the London Bach Choir, later Aberdeen was much loved across becoming its chairman and the social and political spectrum. eventually president. He died in She was born the daughter of 1972 aged 88. So June’s husband, Arthur Paul Boissier, then an David, was Marquis of Aberdeen assistant master and teacher of for only two years before he died mathematics at the Royal Naval in 1974. College at Osborne. In infancy she

280 Obituary Notices

June was Dowager for nearly a Apostles’ and ‘The Kingdom’ third of a century, during that time together.” nurturing the Choral Society The third Marquis was very happy which she and her husband that David Gordon, June’s hus- founded after the war. The band, should live at Haddo and citation she was given on her run the estate. Educated at election to the Royal Society of Harrow and Balliol like his father- Edinburgh in 1981 encapsulated in-law, David served in France and her: “Distinguished for her Egypt in the Second World War unique contribution to music in and was mentioned in dispatches. Scotland, she has been musical He trained as a land agent and director and conductor of the worked on the Fawley Court and Haddo House Choral and Operatic Knowsley Hall estates before Society since founding it jointly going to Haddo. The Haddo with her husband in 1945. The House Choral Society was their special qualities of music-making joint brainchild; from small at Haddo, increasingly widely beginnings it became one of recognised by the arts critics, stem Scotland’s major cultural ventures. from her achievement in fostering the involvement of a local audi- The Gordons loved children and, ence and amateur chorus with dismayed that they were unable to professional instrumentalists and have their own, adopted two boys singers – some highly illustrious, and two girls. A close friend some young but always percipi- wrote: “The great house was wide ently chosen. About 30 operas open, like their hearts, to every and 30 oratorios have been sort and kind of friend. And their performed by the society, repre- friends became friends of each senting the period extending from other in that special warmth. Purcell to Britten and Richard David combined huge strength Rodney Bennett. There have been with huge gentleness, great several first performances, possessions with great generosity. including works by Parry, Rodney These gifts, in partnership with his Bennett and a newly-commis- wife’s creative talent, made Haddo sioned composition by William not so much a place as an experi- Mathias. British composers, ence.” Knowing that he was dying especially Elgar, are her special he opened negotiations to interest and in their works she transfer Haddo into the care of excels: the first musician of her the National Trust for Scotland generation to grasp the impor- and the 180 acres of the park to tance of performing ‘The Grampian Regional Council as a Country Park.

281 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Being taken round Haddo by June June Aberdeen was a governor of Aberdeen was an experience. I Gordonstoun School, of the Royal remember a group of us being Scottish Academy of Music and entranced by the drawing room in Drama and of the Royal College of particular. Above the fireplace is a Music. She was made an MBE in wonderful picture of David and 1971 and a CBE in 1989. The Goliath by Domenichino (1581- latter honour was partly on 1641). Other paintings are account of another interest, the landscapes by James Giles, Sir chairmanship of the Scottish Walter Scott and his daughter by Children’s League. When I last Sir William Allen, a couple of Van visited her, in October 2007 in her Dycks and the head of St Peter, as apartment at Haddo – part of the well as a large, full-length portrait reconstructed former servant’s of Archie Gordon in the costume quarters – at the age of 95 she of a page to his father, the was as clear as a bell about events Governor General of Canada. seven decades earlier. June would shake her head sadly Tam Dalyell and say that Archie died in 1909 at the age of 25 as a result of one of the earliest motor accidents.

Beatrice Mary June Boissier, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair. Born 29 December 1913. Elected FRSE 1983. Died 22 June 2009.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/marchioness-of-aberdeen- and-temair-inspirational-musical-director-and-teacher-1715940.html

282 Obituary Notices

George Warburton Ashcroft 16 January 1930 – 18 November 2009

Appreciation by Professor Emeritus John Mallard, OBE, FRSE, FREng, DSc Professor George Ashcroft was Unfortunately, the resolution deeply interested in the brain, and which could be achieved at that how and where it performs its time did not give sufficiently clear multitude of functions. He was images to give meaningful results amongst the first to realise the from his many attempts, which potential of acquiring information was a sore disappointment to us which could lead to a greater both. However, improvements in understanding of brain malfunc- the imaging technology since tions to help his patients. When I then, and also the advent of was struggling in the 1970s and functional MRIU (magetic reso- onwards to set up in Scotland – nance imaging) has led to many of the first outside London – a facility the problems which were his to image radioactive isotopes goals, now being gainfully from a cyclotron, now known as attacked. PET (positron emission tomogra- He was a real leader in his field, phy), which is now widely used, well ahead of his time. George became a real ally, and when this was finally achieved, he was the first to start using it.

Obituary by Professor John S Kelly, FRSE Division of Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh

The Department of Pharmacology few who had the good fortune to (Materia Medica) in the University work with him or simply the of Edinburgh dates from 1768 privilege of occupying an office in and during the first 200 years the the same building. He was holders of the chair did much to undoubtedly amongst the first to shape the subject - Christison, pursue with vigour and skill the Fraser, Cushny, Clark and Gaddum idea that the basis of mental have all become, in essence, illness, was just like any other household names. George illness with a definable organic Ashcroft did much to uphold this cause that could be characterised tradition but somehow escaped and quantified using physical joining their ranks as a household methods; a pioneer of biological name, except amongst a chosen psychiatry.

283 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

In Edinburgh, as a young clinician General Medical Council the with almost no laboratory train- following year, the same year that ing, he built on the earlier work of he married his wife Pat. Gaddum on brain amines, in National Service followed, for particular 5-hydroxytryptamine (5- which he served in Egypt, refusing HT), and with others developed to carry a weapon and being new methods which allowed him escorted on his rounds by an to argue that the mood of armed soldier. After military patients was correlated with the service, George’s career in psychia- levels of 5-HT in the brain. He try began in 1957 at the Royal confirmed this concept by show- Edinburgh Hospital. In 1958 he ing that a number of drugs that obtained the Membership of the influenced mood in man altered Royal College of Physicians of the turnover of 5-HT in man and Edinburgh. In 1959 he was the levels of 5-HT in the brains of awarded an MRC Fellowship for animals. As we will see later this Training in Clinical Research. This was no flash in the pan; George, included five months in Edin- like his predecessors, not only burgh University’s Department of retained this innovative streak Pharmacology, nine months in the throughout his career but moti- Pharmacology Laboratory at the vated his colleagues to do the ARC Institute of Animal Physiolo- same. gy in Babraham and one year in Professor George Warburton the MRC Clinical Endocrinology Ashcroft, who has died aged 79 Research Laboratory, Edinburgh. was born in Bolton, Lancashire, During this period, his work on left school at 17 and went straight cerebral amine metabolism was to university in 1947. His parents supervised by Dr Martha Vogt and ran a greengrocery and it was Dr Tom Crawford. He was able to during his fourth year at university continue his research in the studying civil engineering that a Pharmacology Department with conversation with one of their the award of a Mental Health customers led to his interest in Research Fund Senior Fellowship psychiatry. She was secretary to (1962-1965). After this he was the local consultant psychiatrist appointed Clinical Scientist in and arranged for him to attend what became the MRC Brain the consultant’s clinic. In order to Metabolism Unit, within the enter medicine he had to take Pharmacology Department of biology at night school. Edinburgh University, becoming He graduated in Medicine from Assistant Director in 1967 and University in 1953, Director in 1970. In 1976 he was registering as a doctor with the elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

284 Obituary Notices

The work on 5-HT was conducted demonstration that the turnover with painstaking methodology of 5HT was greatly increased by and great insight. In the first the administration of the amino paper in Nature in 1960; we read acid l-tryptophan led to the “in one of the samples [we were introduction of a new therapy able ] to identify 5-hydroxyindolyl- using l-tryptophan either alone or 3-acetic acid by paper combined with other drugs, such chromatography, colour reactions as clomipramine and lithium, in and fluorescence” and in the severe depressive disorder. These 1966 Lancet paper; “The work treatments frequently produced was complete in 1960 and at the dramatic improvement in chroni- time posed considerable problems cally treatment-resistant in the interpretation of the results, depressive patients. since we were unable to explain In spite of tryptophan being, in the gradient between ventricular general, regarded as a safe and lumbar c.s.F. levels of 5- medicine, the persistent appear- H.I.A.A., or the results after ance of reports of adverse side air-encephalography. Since this effects from the ingestion of the time, we have paid considerable amino acid led in the early attention to the mechanisms of nineties to warnings from the addition and removal of 5-H.I.A.A. regulators and no new controlled to c.s.F. in animals. One advantage studies of its use in depression of carrying out this work in 1959 have been published for about 40 was that it preceded widespread years. However, current research use of antidepressant drugs in has consistently shown that many general practice, hence there was people experience a temporary a large number of depressed worsening of mood following the patients available for study who reverse, acute tryptophan deple- were not taking specific antide- tion, and that concurrent use of pressant drugs.” Ashcroft was antidepressant medication may clearly determined to steer clear of exaggerate such mood responses. the bitter controversies surround- This is particularly true of women ing the contemporary findings with anorexia or bulimia, where from other laboratories that acute tryptophan depletion which claimed that in the brain of may occur on proprietary low- schizophrenics there was an calorie diets, intensifies the level abnormal accumulation of of depression and the subjective methylated amines identifiable by urge to binge. the occurrence of urinary constitu- ents yielding pink spots on In parallel with his basic research, chromatograms. Finally, his George ran a small research ward at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital,

285 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

where he participated in the diagnose and manage senile everyday assessment and treat- dementia of the Alzheimer type ment of patients. As a psychiatrist, (SDAT) and to distinguish patients he represented a brand of with multi-infarct dementia (MID) therapeutic optimism, which from normal controls. The insisted that no patient was pharmacology expanded to untreatable. In the presence of encompass measures of other personality disorder, some of neurotransmitters, including which would have been classed as dopamine and vasopressin. This ‘borderline’, he continued with his mix encouraged a number of own pragmatic brand of psycho- junior psychiatrists-in-training to therapy. He made himself available acquire scientific knowledge and as a lifeline to many disturbed skills and to become the obvious patients, who could phone him candidates for the next generation from any part of the country, often of Chairs of Psychiatry in Aber- at inconvenient hours. deen, Dundee, Edinburgh, In 1978, he and his family moved Newcastle and Oxford. Equally to Aberdeen, when he was importantly, he trained a cohort of appointed Professor of Mental clinicians, psychiatrists and GPs, Health at Aberdeen University and who now populate and energise Cornhill Hospital, a post he held many clinical centres in the until 1991. In spite of the savage country. cuts to Aberdeen’s budget during While the MRC Brain Metabolism the late seventies and eighties, at Unit had included clinical beds least equal to those in most UK and a large outpatient load, there universities, George managed to was no tradition in Aberdeen for recruit a number of key scientists. members of the Department of John Besson initiated a pioneer- Mental Health to take general ing imaging programme in psychiatric responsibility for collaboration with John Mallard’s patients. However, within two internationally-leading Depart- years of his appointment, the ment of Medical Physics and Frank Department was entrusted with Smith’s Department of Nuclear the responsibility for Gordon Medicine. Roger Makanjuola and District, which he transformed Tomás Palomo joined the team to into an exemplary service. Decades continue the pharmacological before community psychiatry research initiated in Edinburgh. became fashionable, it was The imaging studies allowed flourishing with GP outpatient Ashcroft to successfully join the clinics in Inverurie and Ellon, joint debate about the use of morpho- ward rounds in Inverurie Commu- logical changes in the brain to nity Hospital and close liaison

286 Obituary Notices

with the local authority social Ward after him. Retiring for the work departments. Finally, he second time aged 67, he contin- established a GP-run multi- ued to make active contributions disciplinary dementia assessment to self-help groups: young people unit in Inverurie. In the absence of with diabetes, older patients and community psychiatric nurses, he their relatives and to enjoy a educated general nurses, health lifelong love of cricket as well as visitors and GPs to take over the gardening, fishing and music, care of psychiatric patients, and to particularly jazz. be good at it. During his long and distinguished In the academic department, career, Professor Ashcroft created undergraduate teaching and a cadre of dedicated young examination were rejuvenated, psychiatrists who went on to work with an emphasis on clinical around the world. He was a loyal, bedside experience forcing incredibly kind and loving family students to engage with patients man, a father of four, daughter by making a one-hour clinical Suzy and sons Paddy, Blair and examination the centrepiece of Michael, grandfather of eight and the psychiatry degree-examina- great-grandfather of two. He is tion. Students had to examine the survived by his wife Pat, 80, whom (real) patient for 40 minutes in he met at a tennis tournament in front of the two examiners, and Farnworth, Bolton: “He was then proceeded to take a 20- absolutely wonderful. He loved his minute viva both on the clinical work, he really enjoyed it and was examination and issues, such as excellent at it. He would have kept further assessment, differential on and on forever” diagnosis and management. I am grateful to Donald Eccleston He retired, aged 65, but took up and Klaus Ebmeier for access to psycho-geriatrics, working in their rather more extensive Inverurie where he set up a model account of George’s clinical work for psycho-geriatric treatment to submitted to The Psychiatrist. be rolled out elsewhere. Inverurie John S Kelly Hospital named the Ashcroft

George Warburton Ashcroft, MB ChB, DRCOG, MRCPEdin, DPM, FRCPEdin, DSc, MRCPsych, FRSE. Born 16 January 1930. Elected FRSE 1975. Died 18 November 2009

287 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Sir James Baddiley 15 May 1918 –17 November 2008

Jim Baddiley was born in Man- nucleic acids, and led eventually in chester, descended on his father’s Cambridge to Todd’s Nobel Prize side from a farming family, and in 1957. After gaining his PhD, was one of four children. His Jim moved to Cambridge with father, also James, had broken Todd in 1944 and embarked, as with family tradition and become an ICI Fellow, on the synthesis of a scientist, an industrial organic (ATP); a chemist, who for many years was very ambitious undertaking. director of research of ICI Dye- Writing in Pembroke College stuffs in Blackley, Manchester. Jim magazine in 2008, he recalled the attended Manchester Grammar thrill of walking down Pembroke School, with no specialisation Street shortly after the completion until the sixth form, and he has of the synthesis. While in Cam- said that his family life was very bridge, unlike his chemical happy with no academic pressures colleagues, he established on him. He spent his pocket contacts in the Department of money carrying out chemical Biochemistry, particularly with experiments at home with the Kenneth Bailey and Ernest Gale, encouragement of his father, and and attended colloquia and he realised that chemistry and seminars in the Department. biology were the subjects which After further postdoctoral work in most interested him. He entered Sweden, Jim returned to Cam- Manchester University to read bridge in 1949 and was offered a chemistry in 1937 and in 1938 a staff appointment at the Lister young Alexander Todd succeeded Institute of Preventive Medicine in Ian Heilbron as Professor of London, giving him his first Organic Chemistry. Alex proved to research independence. In August be an important influence on Jim’s 1949 the first International future career. Congress of Biochemistry was After graduation, Jim became one held in Cambridge, bringing of the first research students to together the world’s biochemists work with Alex Todd and Basil for the first time since the war. Lythgoe on the synthesis of One of the main lectures was by nucleosides. The long term the German American biochemist objective of this programme was Fritz Lipmann announcing the the synthesis of discovery of a new coenzyme, coenzymes and components of coenzyme A, which he showed

288 Obituary Notices

was a derivative of pantothenic Beverley Carss showed them to be acid, one of the B vitamins. Jim cytidine derivatives of glycerol met Lipmann, who asked him for phosphate and ribitol phosphate. his help in determining the full The question now arose as to the chemical structure of coenzyme A. biochemical role of these nucle- This was an ideal collaboration otides – it had been shown that and, in London, Jim soon built a similar were involved small research group to study this in the formation of polymers of and other problems related to high molecular weight. A senior coenzyme structure. Within three American biochemist Bob Green- years, he and Malcolm Thain, berg, was a visitor in the together with Lipmann, had Department. With some scepti- solved the problem. By this time cism he undertook to prove the the Lister group had expanded existence of polymers of glycerol and achieved syntheses of the and ribitol phosphate in bacteria coenzymes codecarboxylase and and within a few days, to his active methionine. surprise and delight, had pro- As an extension of the coenzyme duced positive results. These A work, Jim explored, with Tony polymers were later shown to be Mathias, the way in which associated with bacterial cell walls coenzyme A was formed in and membranes of Gram-positive bacteria and found that nucle- bacteria. With his usual thorough- otides were also present in the ness, Jim consulted the Professor bacterial extracts which interfered of Greek, Professor Hudson- with their experiments. Further Williams, to find a suitable name. exploration of this chance obser- Teichos is the Greek word for a vation led to the isolation of two fortified wall and the polymers new nucleotides with unusual were named teichoic acids. properties. In due course this led Jim then began an extensive him into a field of biology which investigation of the teichoic acids, occupied him for the rest of his showing that they contained life. sugar components and the amino At this stage, Jim was appointed acid D-alanine. He studied their Professor of Organic Chemistry at structures, their biosynthesis, Kings College Newcastle, then which involved the cytidine one of three components of nucleotides, their immunology . The determina- and, most importantly, the part tion of the structure of the they played in the functioning of unknown nucleotides became the the bacterial cell. Many people major research interest, and by contributed to this programme 1956, Arnold Sanderson and over a period of years – Ron

289 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Archibald and Ian Hancock Jim Baddiley’s marriage in 1944 to deserve special mention. Jim Hazel Townsend was a mainstay in realised that his researches were his life. He was interested in the taking him out of the mainstream arts and in music. Hazel had been of organic chemistry and he a textile designer, they had much became Professor of Chemical in common and she gave him Microbiology, eventually in a great support. Shortly after separate building. Since 2004, the moving to Newcastle, Jim and Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology Hazel built a new house which has been established in Newcastle gave them both great pleasure in under the direction of Jeff the planning and furnishing. Their Errington and the work on son Christopher, born in 1947 in teichoic acids continues. A Cambridge, has distinguished Baddiley Lecture has been estab- himself as a physicist and astrono- lished and Jim himself was able to mer. Christopher is well known as be present at the inaugural lecture a lecturer and has won the Galileo by Sir John Walker in 2008. Medal for his work on urban light Jim was elected to the Royal pollution in astronomy. Society in 1961 and to the Royal When Jim and Hazel retired, they Society of Edinburgh in 1963: he moved to Cambridge and Jim re- was knighted in 1977. He has established his friendship with Sir been awarded many prizes and Hans Kornberg. He became a lectureships and received honor- Fellow of Pembroke College and ary degrees from Heriot-Watt and carried out research in the Bath Universities. Although Alex Department of Biochemistry. He Todd was a major influence in his helped to found the Institute of life, Jim was much more interested Biotechnology in Cambridge and in biological aspects of chemistry served on a number of University and felt at home in the company and national committees. Even of biochemists and biologists. He after retiring for the second time, used his chemical skills to unravel his interest in teichoic acids major problems in biology and continued, especially the part believed that it was easier for a played by the alanine groups in chemist to acquire the necessary relation to the metals magnesium knowledge of biology than the and calcium. He published a paper other way round. He was deter- on his own in 2000, and an mined and single-minded, as extensive review with Frank befits a rock climber, one of his Neuhaus in 2003. activities as a young man. J Grant Buchanan Sir James Baddiley Kt, BSc, MSc, PhD, DSc (Manchester), ScD (Cantab), HonDSc (Heriot-Watt, Bath), FRS. Born 15 May 1918; Elected FRSE 1963; Died 17 November 2008. 290 Obituary Notices

Margaret Barnes 26 August 1919 – 31 October 2009

Margaret Barnes was originally ethic, she had been doing trained as a chemist (as was her research in her spare time and was husband Harold Barnes, FRSE, awarded the MSc degree, again who died in 1978), yet they from London, in 1945. became two of the most promi- Finding themselves at a marine nent marine biologists of the biology station, it seemed a post-war years. Not only were they natural extension from working leading authorities on the biology on anti-fouling paints to com- of barnacles, they were also the mence work on the biology of founding editors of two marine barnacles, one of the main fouling science journals of high interna- organisms on ships and coastal tional repute. Harold was installations. They made extensive publishing before the war, but field trips around the coasts of after marrying in 1945, their Europe and North America. These collaboration, both scientific and trips led to a steady stream of editorial, became so close it is jointly-authored papers, mainly on difficult to separate the relative the genera Balanus, Chthamalus contributions that they made to and Elminius. Almost every aspect marine science. of their biology was covered: Margaret was born in England, distribution, morphology, repro- received her early education in duction and development, Wales, and then attended Plymp- biochemistry, physiology and ton Grammar School near metabolism. The output can only Plymouth as a teenager. She be described as prodigious. obtained her BSc from London Margaret’s position at the SMBA University in 1939 and spent the was anomalous as an ‘unpaid war years investigating colloidal permanent visiting worker’. How graphite lubricants. During this lucky the SMBA was to have such time she met Harold in Plymouth. an active, productive and compe- In 1943 he was seconded to the tent scientist working for laboratory of the Scottish Marine nothing! The Barnes team became Biological Association (SMBA) at something of a legend in the Millport on the Firth of Clyde. He marine stations around the world. was working on anti-fouling Margaret’s success was marked by paints and Margaret joined him at the award of the DSc degree from Millport after their marriage. With London in 1972, election to a her characteristic strong work

291 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Fellowship of the Royal Society of Harold’s death in 1978 must have Edinburgh in 1976 and Fellow- been a heavy personal blow to ship of the Institute of Biology in Margaret, as well as causing a 1980. severe hiatus in the flow of their Not content with the output of research papers and those of their scientific papers, the Barnes other authors being edited for the identified a need for new journals Review and the Journal. Neverthe- in marine science. In 1963 they less, the flow continued started a review series Oceanogra- unabated, a true measure of phy and Marine Biology: An Margaret’s dedication and single- Annual Review, and in 1967 the mindedness. Despite many Journal of Experimental Marine vicissitudes, such as takeovers Biology and Ecology. These within the publishing houses, and publications flourished from the ever-increasing interference in the start, Margaret playing an essen- day-to-day processes of editing, tial editorial role. She was a the two publications continue to meticulous editor, requiring a very flourish to this day, the Review high standard of English, both in reaching volume 48 and the style and grammar. She also Journal volume 400. Over the applied these standards to years, this involved the appoint- aspiring authors whose English ment of new and additional was not their first language, editors, but Margaret retained an taking enormous trouble to make editorial role well into her 80s. their papers acceptable for She and Harold deserve great publication. Many such authors credit for overcoming the difficult look back with gratitude at the task of steering not only one, but way in which their papers had two publications through those been improved. early stages of infancy and building up their existing high In 1968 the SMBA relocated from reputations. Millport to Oban in Argyll where it became the Dunstaffnage Marine A further interest of the Barnes lay Laboratory, eventually adopting in the European Marine Biology the title Scottish Association for Symposia (EMBS). These annual Marine Science (SAMS) to reflect and very popular events rotated the wider scope of its research. around the various European Margaret and Harold moved marine stations. Margaret and across at this time, making an Harold played a major role in apparently effortless change from setting up these symposia and one environment to another, with were inveterate attendees. They all the implications of transferring organised the Symposium when it both laboratory and home. came to Oban in 1974, and

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Margaret was the convenor, and ued with their hospitality after the edited the Proceedings of the move to Oban, and Margaret Symposium when it returned to maintained it after Harold’s death. Oban in 1989. At this time Margaret was a truly likeable Margaret was President of the person, friendly and kind and with EMBS. an excellent sense of humour. She Margaret’s role in marine science had other interests and talents over the last 60 years – as a that those who came to know her research worker, editor, and as a in her later years did not realise. cohesive force amongst European She had been a proficient cross- marine scientists – needs no country skier and mountaineer, further emphasis. The Barnes were and a member of the Austrian renowned for their hospitality, Alpine Club. She was an expert and entertained their colleagues gardener, maintaining a stunning and visiting scientists unstintingly. garden overlooking the sea just I remember, as a new and very north of Oban. She was one of junior marine biologist, visiting the old school, and it seems Millport in a research vessel from unlikely that her way of life and the Aberdeen Marine Laboratory. special commitment to science Not only was I asked to supper at and her fellow scientists, inside their house, but stayed the night and outside the laboratory, will as the weather was unpropitious find many parallels in the present for rowing back to the vessel day. anchored offshore. They contin- John Blaxter

Margaret Barnes BSc, MSc, DSc (London), FIBiol. Born 26 August 1919. Elected FRSE 1976. Died 31 October 2009.

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Sir Ivor Batchelor 29 November 1916 – 24 April 2005

Professor Emeritus Sir Ivor Batch- ed and underdeveloped. The two elor the son of an Edinburgh principal hospitals were amalga- physician, was educated at mated under one administration Edinburgh Academy and Edin- in 1959 and in masterminding the burgh University and gradua-ted ensuing upgrading and reorgani- MB ChB in 1940. During the war, sation, Sir Ivor displayed the he served as a neuro-psychiatrist leadership qualities that became in the Royal Air Force Volunteer his hallmark – decisive, farsighted, Reserve, and on that experience innovative and forceful. was based his co-authorship of When Sir Ivor was appointed to Aviation Neuropsychiatry in 1945. the new Chair of Psychiatry in From 1947 to 1956 he was Dundee University in 1962 he assistant physician and then relinquished his National Health deputy physician superintendent Service (NHS) administrative role at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital but by then he had laid the under Professor Sir David Hender- foundations of a truly comprehen- son. The two men became firm sive psychiatric service. In 1962, friends and Sir David’s example the University Department of and broad approach to psychiatry Psychiatry consisted of two rooms were a major influence in Sir Ivor’s on the second floor of an old early career. During this period, he building. Twenty years later, in and a psychiatric social worker 1982 when he retired, Sir Ivor published a series of papers on handed on a flourishing, well- attempted suicide, leading to his funded and well-staffed election as a Fellow of the Royal department, securely accommo- Society of Edinburgh in 1960. dated in the new Ninewells In 1956, Sir Ivor moved to Dundee Teaching Hospital and Medical as Physician Superintendent of the School campus. He was himself a Dundee Royal Mental Hospital. lucid and persuasive lecturer and The following years, until his he promoted a high standard of retirement in 1982, were years of teaching by his department. He outstanding achievement as a campaigned effectively for the hospital administrator, in the development of teaching and academic sphere, and as a research facilities in the Dundee nationally recognised contributor psychiatric hospital, did much to to numerous aspects of health foster the research interests and service policy. potential of both university and In the1950s, the psychiatric NHS staff and he enlisted contri- services in Dundee were fragment- butions from clinical psychology, 294 Obituary Notices

sociology, and biochemistry; he to the Royal College of Psychia- also inspired a survey of mental trists has been misunderstood by illness in a prison population. some as one of antipathy. It is true Sir Ivor’s reputation for analytical he initially argued that the flair and critical judgment led to interests of psychiatry would be his serving on numerous commit- best served by a faculty within the tees with a wide range of remits College of Physicians, but his beyond the boundaries of scepticism was not sustained. He psychiatry. These included broad saw the College’s achievements, scrutiny of NHS organisation and his election as Honorary (especially the Royal Commission Fellow meant a lot to him. on the NHS), medical research, In his professional relationships, postgraduate medical education, Ivor Batchelor was a reserved man. the nursing profession and the Meticulously accurate and hard- law relating to abortion. Under his working he expected no less of his chairmanship, the Committee on staff. As a friend he was warmly the Staffing of Mental Deficiency empathic and supportive, and had Hospitals in Scotland produced a lively sense of humour. He was a recommendations which aroused keen naturalist and walker until some controversy at the time but he became physically disabled by had lasting impact. He found time illness in his later years. Disability, to revise three editions of Hender- however, did not prevent him son and Gillespie’s Textbook of continuing to visit art galleries Psychiatry, and in his retirement he and museums, an ongoing source published Policies for a Crisis, a of pleasure to him and on which critical review of NHS policies for he was a considerable expert. He care of the elderly. wore his erudition lightly and The outstanding range and loved to open new horizons for quality of Sir Ivor’s contributions his friends who seldom left his were recognised by his election to company without feeling stimulat- Honorary Fellowship of the Royal ed and uplifted. College of Psychiatrists, to Sir Ivor Batchelor married Honor Fellowship of the Royal College of Wallace Williamson in 1941 and Physicians of Edinburgh, the he is survived by her, their son and award of CBE in 1976 and a their three daughters. knighthood in 1981. His attitude Peter Aungle

Sir Ivor Batchelor, CBE, MB, ChB(Edin), DPM(Lond, FRCPE, FRCPsych. Born 29 November 1916. Elected FRSE 1960. Died 24 April 2005 Reproduced with permision of the Royal College of Psychiatrists - Pub- lished in The Psychiatrist (2005) 29: 439 doi: 10.1192/pb.29.11.439

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Antony John Clark September 18 1951 – August 12 2004

The sudden death of Professor genes, the technical ability to John Clark, at the age of 52, has manipulate DNA sequences and robbed Britain of a world leader in methods for the introduction of animal science and biotechnology, gene sequences into sheep and an individual whose commit- embryos. While these are now ment to science was based on a commonplace, this was not the genuine concern for others. A case at the time, and the project visionary, energetic and resolute was technically challenging. leader, he made outstanding The birth, in 1990, of Tracy, the contributions not only in research, first sheep to produce very large but also in translating it to the quantities of human protein in commercial environment. her milk - alpha-1-antitrypsin for Clark was director of the Roslin the treatment of cystic fibrosis - Institute, near Edinburgh, one of was a milestone in the field, and a the world’s leading centres for success that laid the foundation research on farm and other for the continuing reputation of animals, funded by the Biotech- the Roslin Institute (as it became nology and Biological Science in 1993) as pioneers in transgenic Council. He pioneered the technology. development of techniques for The development of cloning the genetic modification of techniques at Roslin in the mid- livestock that led to the cloning 1990s provided the first techniques and the birth, in 1996, opportunity to introduce precise of Dolly the sheep, the first animal genetic changes in animals other to be cloned from an adult cell. than mice, and Clark and his This event created entirely new colleagues were the first to opportunities in research and produce a large animal from regenerative medicine. which a specific gene had been Appointed to the then Animal removed (a prion protein gene Breeding Research Organisation from a sheep). in 1985, Clark soon assumed Characteristically quick to recog- leadership of a project to produce nise scientific opportunities, Clark human proteins in the milk of responded to the news, in 1997, sheep. Its success required an of the isolation of the first human understanding of the mechanisms embryonic stem cells by rapidly that regulate the functioning of establishing his own projects

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building on that research. Cur- became director of Roslin on rently, the laboratory he managed August 1 2003. Irrespective of the is working on the derivation of level at which he was operating, liver cells and neurones from from team leader to director, he human embryonic stem cells for always ensured he had time for potential use in the testing of new his staff, especially for the many drugs and the treatment of students he personally supervised. Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Clark was born in Blackpool, but spinal cord injury. the family moved to Lincolnshire, Scientists in the UK are often where he was educated at Barton criticised for failing to convert grammar school. After he gradu- scientific advances into practical ated in natural sciences at Christ’s benefit. Clark was an exception in College, Cambridge, in 1973, he that he had a clear commitment to and his wife Helen began what commercialising research – and they later called their “world the entrepreneurial flair to achieve tour”. First, they went to the this. The successful project to University of Western Ontario, produce human proteins in sheep Canada, where Clark obtained an milk was carried out at Roslin, but MSc for studies on the regulation provided the intellectual basis for of development in a mudsnail. the establishment of PPL Thera- They then travelled for a year peutics in 1987. Clark’s experience through the US and South with the creation of that company America. This experience had a was invaluable when Dolly lasting impact on Clark, and he followed. could always amaze with anec- The establishment of another dotes of their many adventures, company, Roslin BioMed, and its such as horseback journeys to visit subsequent acquisition by the US remote archaeological sites in the Geron Corporation in 1999, Colombian rainforest. delivered a six-year commitment Back in Britain, Clark began to fund human stem cell research research in what were still the very at the Institute, and has under- early days of molecular biology. pinned its status as a leader in this Working in Edinburgh, he exciting new field. completed a pioneering study on Most of Clark’s career was driven human satellite DNA, for which he by setting a strategy in which was awarded a PhD in 1982, possible applications provided the before working, with John Bishop, rationale and justification for of the Institute of Genetics at research. Thus, he was ideally Edinburgh University, on genes suited to provide the scientific that function in the liver of mice leadership and direction when he

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Clark was awarded the OBE in Though he, Helen and his two 1997, elected a Fellow of the sons, Charlie and Laurie, travelled Royal Society of Edinburgh in widely together, they returned 1999, and was a valued contribu- repeatedly to the tranquillity of tor to numerous scientific Colonsay, in the Inner Hebrides. committees and working groups. Ian Wilmut A widely read man, he enjoyed music, dancing and a broad circle of friends.

Anthony John Clark, MA, MSc, PhD, scientist and entrepreneur. Born September 18 1951. Elected FRSE 1999. Died August 12 2004

This obituary first appeared in The Guardian on 25 August 2004 http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2004/aug/25/obituaries.health Reproduced by permission of The Guardian

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Alan Hugh Cook 2 December 1922 – 23 July 2004

Alan Cook was a physicist with an graduating in 1943 joined the unusually wide range of interests, Admiralty Signals Establishment. centred on the structure of the He returned to Cambridge at the Earth and other planets, as well as end of the Second World War to phenomena arising from the vast begin research for his PhD in the clouds of attenuated gas that Department of Geodesy and abound in more distant regions of Geophysics. our galaxy. In pursuit of these It was here that he became interests he became involved in interested in the precise determi- exact measurement and the nation of the gravitational establishment of standards in acceleration (g) of a falling body. metrology. Small variations in g over the Alan Hugh Cook, physicist: born Earth’s surface give valuable hints Selstead, Kent 2 December 1922; on the density and depth of deep- Superintendent, Standards (later lying rocks; at the time he went to Quantum Metrology) Division, the National Physical Laboratory National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington – he was there 1966–69; FRS 1969; Professor of from 1952 to 1969 – expeditions Geophysics, Edinburgh University were setting out with very precise 1969–72; FRSE 1970; Jacksonian pendulums to map them. The Professor of Natuural Philosophy, results played a major role in Cambridge University 1972–90, overthrowing apparently secure Head of Department of Physics views on the Earth’s crust and 1979–84; Fellow, King’s College, initiating the concept of slowly Cambridge 1972–83; President, wandering plates; their collisions Royal Astronomical Society 1977– and separations generate moun- 79; Master, Selwyn College, tain ranges and the deep-sea Cambridge 1983–93; Kt 1988; trenches from which spring the Chairman, Press Syndicate, most powerful earthquakes and Cambridge University Press 1988– devastating volcanoes. 93; married 1948 Isabell It may seem tame in this context Adamson (one son, one daugh- to devote time and technical skill ter); died Cambridge 23 July to throwing up perfect spheres of 2004. glass in a vacuum and timing their From Westcliff High School he passage up and down past two went to Corpus Christi College, pairs of slits. This is what Cook Cambridge in 1940 and on worked on to the point of

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determining g with a reliable research effort in a department standard against which all the where competition to attract the pendulums could be checked, so brightest graduates was so fierce. that as they roamed around the At all events he did not manage to globe any tiny differences in g put together a team of his own, that were noted could be seen as though he gave encouragement real and requiring explanation. to a small new enterprise devoted Good though Cook’s device was, to laser physics which has contin- it was soon improved on by ued to thrive. others; but he was the pioneer. For his own part he was drawn He soon rose to be superintend- more into administration. Among ent of the division at the NPL that other tasks were two years as covered metrology in general. It President of the Royal Astronomi- developed into quantum metrolo- cal Society, five years as Head of gy using atomic vibrations and the Cavendish and five years as lasers to achieve ever higher Chairman of the Syndics of the degress of exactness in measure- Cambridge University Press. ment of length and time that are On arrival as Jacksonian Professor, essential in advanced technology he was elected a Fellow of King’s and in such academic pursuits as College and only left in 1988 to radio astronomy. His personal become Master of Selwyn College, input and the organisation of the a position he held until he enterprise are not the stuff of reached the retiring age of 70 in heroic legend, but without such 1993. It was an uneventful time things there would be no heroes. for the college, which had recently His success was signalled by added to the buildings and was election to the Royal Society in not quite ready for the next phase 1969. of expansion. He is remembered In the same year, he left NPL on for his courteous hospitality and appointment to the Chair of kindly management at a time Geophysics at Edinburgh. The when what had been an exclusive- department apparently needed ly Anglican male foundation was enlivening, and he spent three successfully coming to terms with years getting it into shape before a broader outlook. Tidy in dress, he was called back to Cambridge seriously learned, to outsiders he as Jacksonian Professor of Natural must have seemed the epitome of Philosophy at the Cavendish a don. Laboratory. He was now 50 and In his latter days he was a rare perhaps a little weary of experi- visitor to the Cavendish, being ment, even perhaps discouraged fully occupied, when not at at the prospect of building a new meetings, with theoretical

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investigations and the books that in a brilliant life of discovery. The resulted. He had been among the book was very well received. first to appreciate, in 1965, that It reveals another side of Alan intense (astronomically speaking) Cook, his devotion to the history microwave radiation was the of science. For some years he outcome of maser action in edited Notes and Records of the interstellar gas, particularly the Royal Society, which helps keep hydroxyl radicals it harboured. alive the memory of otherwise This was covered in his Celestial forgotten scientists and the Masers of 1977, and he had research that later work has already published a rather severe overshadowed. It was appropriate treatment of microwaves and their work for a somewhat reclusive but interference in 1971 (Interference quietly humorous man whose of Electromagnetic Waves). Several own achievements will remain technical books followed, but his valuable as they are absorbed, and last, in 1997, was a biography of because they are absorbed, into Edmund Halley (Edmund Halley: the fabric of science. charting the heavens and the seas) whose comet is but one episode Brian Pippard

Alan Hugh Cook, FRS, FInstP, Foreign Fellow Academia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome. Born 2 December 1922. Elected FRSE 1970. Died 23 July 2004

This obituary first appeared in The Independent on 31 July 2004 reproduced with permission from The Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-alan-cook-6164500.html

301 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Philip Steven Corbet 21 May 1929 – 13 February 2008

Philip Steven Corbet, who died on the Colin Morley Prize for Zoology, 13 February, 2008 aged 78, at his Corbet undertook research for the home in West Cornwall, was a PhD Degree at Gonville & Caius zoologist – by inclination, train- College, Cambridge under the ing, experience and achievement. supervision of Professor V.B. (later In particular, he was a specialist on Sir Vincent) Wigglesworth FRS, the the ecology of dragonflies and distinguished insect physiologist. mosquitoes, and an earnest Corbet remained grateful to Sir advocate of a human population Vincent for allowing him to policy. His father, Alexander Steven conduct his PhD research on a Corbet, at one time Deputy topic that Corbet himself had Keeper of Entomology at The chosen – seasonal regulation in Natural History Museum, was the dragonflies – rather than on a recognised authority on Malaysian subject suggested by his supervi- butterflies. The atmosphere in the sor. The resulting research Corbet family home was pervaded confirmed Corbet’s deep affection by his father’s love of natural for dragonflies. It also provided history. Philip’s sister, Sarah A. the foundation for his life-long Corbet, is an authority on British interest in the group, and for an bumble bees and the pollination ecological classification that has of plants by insects. formed an informative template Philip Corbet was born on 21 May for interpreting life histories of 1929 in Kuala Lumpur, West dragonflies and other aquatic Malaysia, where his father was a insects. Corbet’s PhD research led microbiologist at the Rubber to his suggesting to James Fisher, Research Institute. His schooling then on the Editorial Board of the for five years was at Nelson Boys’ popular New Naturalist books, College, New Zealand (where his that a volume devoted to dragon- mother took him during the flies would be an appropriate Second World War) and then, for addition to the series. The one year only, at Dauntsey’s outcome was the widely used School, Wiltshire. Only at Daunt- Dragonflies by Corbet, Longfield sey’s did he receive any instruction and Moore, first published in in biology. After graduating BSc 1960. with First Class Honours in Corbet’s professional career Zoology at the University of reflected the diversity of his Reading, where he was awarded zoological, and especially entomo-

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logical, interests, being pursued in pects for expatriate staff in four continents and embracing Uganda were being diminished by research, administration and the imminence of self govern- resource management. ment. While at the EAVRI Corbet From 1954 to 1962, Corbet was led the field team that discovered employed as a zoologist and the mosquito vector of O’nyong- entomologist by the East African nyong Fever, a hitherto unknown High Commission in Uganda; first, arborvirus, with Dengue-like from 1954 to 1957, at the East symptoms, that was causing a African Freshwater Fisheries fulminating epidemic among Research Organization at Jinja, humans in Uganda and Kenya in where he produced the definitive 1959. However his principal account of the food of non-cichlid assignment at Entebbe was to fishes in the Lake Victoria basin, collect large samples of mosqui- leavening this work with detailed toes from different heights above investigations of the insect food the ground in rain forest and then of the Nile Crocodile and the to discover and validate the behaviour of several groups of external characters of females that aquatic insects. Latterly, from enabled their physiological age to 1957 to 1962, he specialised in be estimated without having to the behaviour and ecology of resort to the laborious and time- mosquitoes at the East African consuming process of dissecting Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, the ovaries. Corbet became adept a prestigious laboratory which, as at this arcane skill, to such an the Rockefeller Yellow Fever extent that, towards the end of his Institute, had been the place employment in Uganda, he had where, some years earlier, the an opportunity to demonstrate his jungle cycle of yellow fever had aptitude in a memorable way. been elucidated by A.J. Haddow While relaxing on an open FRSE and others. At the EAVRI, verandah at sundown, Corbet and under the inspiring leadership of an entomological colleague (the Haddow, Corbet’s research output late A.W.R. McCrae) noticed a was exceptionally high and, on mosquito flying slowly between the strength of this, he was them, whereupon Corbet was invited by the Canada Department able to state with confidence the of Agriculture Research Branch to mosquito’s species and to add join the Entomology Research that it was a young female who Institute (later the Biosystematics had not yet laid eggs. Research Institute), Ottawa. He Such proficiency served Corbet readily accepted this offer in well in his next assignment – the 1962, a time when career pros- study of mosquito biology in the

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Canadian High Arctic. There he ment as Director of the Canada discovered, and described, the Department of Agriculture phenomenon of facultative Research Institute at Belleville, autogeny – a hitherto unknown Ontario. The Institute, formerly reproductive strategy of mosqui- known as the Canadian Institute toes. The strategy entails the for Biological Control, adopted, ability by individuals of blood- under Corbet’s direction, the sucking species to retain two broader remit of discovering and options for oogenesis. If, after a developing methods for pest period of trying to obtain verte- suppression that avoided, or brate blood (normally a greatly reduced, the use of prerequisite for egg development synthetic organic chemical of mosquitoes) a female fails to pesticides. This responsibility, do so, she can safeguard her which Corbet discharged for four reproductive options by abandon- years, marked a turning point in ing further attempts at his personal priorities. As an host-seeking and dedicating her ecologist with a responsibility for scant remaining energy reserves to pest management, Corbet saw developing at least a few eggs. clearly the driving role of human This strategy, well suited to the population pressure in destabilis- High Arctic where sources of ing ecosystems, and also of vertebrate blood are sparse and precipitating pest outbreaks. unpredictable, was later detected Thereafter he used his many by other workers among mosqui- opportunities as an invited toes in harsh and variable symposium speaker to emphasise environments elsewhere. Corbet’s this causal relationship and to other principal achievement while point to the need for national a research entomologist in policies to balance the size of Canada was to lead the investiga- human populations and the tive team that diagnosed, and resources available to support subsequently suppressed, the them on a sustainable basis. His insect nuisance in the St Lawrence compulsion to communicate these River that threatened the viability principles more widely led to his of the 1967 World Exhibition acceptance in 1971 of the (Expo 67) in Montreal. His team’s position of Professor and Chair- diagnosis and recommendations man of the Biology Department at proved to be correct and practica- the University of Waterloo, ble so that the threat was averted. Ontario and in 1974 as Professor Corbet’s career as a full-time and Director of the Joint Centre research entomologist effectively for Environmental Sciences at the ended in 1967, with his appoint- University of Canterbury and

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Lincoln Agricultural College (now other such initiatives at that time, Lincoln University), Canterbury, it failed to generate a tangible New Zealand. The directorship of response. the Joint Centre (later the Centre In 1978, after four years as for Resource Management) Director of the Joint Centre, afforded Corbet access to a variety Corbet resigned to take a chair in of influential fora in which to the Department of Zoology at the present the ecological perspective, University of Canterbury. He had including service on the New found that the position at the Zealand Environmental Council, Joint Centre had become too the New Zealand Government political and insufficiently scien- Fact-Finding Group on Nuclear tific for his taste. Soon afterwards Energy, the first council of the he was awarded a Common- New Zealand Demographic Society wealth Visiting Professorship in and the first executive of the New the Department of Applied Zealand Club of Rome. Many of Biology at the University of the graduates from the Joint Cambridge. While there, he and Centre, which administered a two- his Swedish wife, who had just year MSc Degree in Resource become parents, decided to try to Management, secured influential relocate in Europe so that their positions in departments and daughter would be able to know agencies concerned with environ- her wider family. Accordingly, in mental planning, resource 1980, Corbet accepted the allocation and nature conserva- foundation Chair of Zoology in tion, in New Zealand and the Department of Biological elsewhere. An additional source Sciences at the University of of satisfaction to Corbet and the Dundee, where he was Head of architects of the programme was Department from 1983 to 1986. that senior employees from While at Dundee, Corbet served resource-oriented government on the Nature Conservancy departments were seconded to Council Committee for Scotland take the MSc course. While in and chaired the Science Commit- Canada, Corbet had been trying tee of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. to gain wider recognition of the In 1983 he was elected first need for a population policy and, President of the British Dragonfly in 1971, had orchestrated an Society. open letter to the Prime Minister, signed by 25 senior biologists, Among those who study dragon- calling for the Prime Minister to flies, Corbet was well known for acknowledge this need and to put his books, especially two synoptic in place a demographic policy. Like treatments of the behaviour and ecology of the group, both of

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which became accepted as the award of the Degrees of DSc standard texts: A Biology of by the University of Reading Dragonflies (1962, reprinted (1962), ScD by the University of 1983) and Dragonflies. Behaviour Cambridge (1976) and DSc by the and Ecology of Odonata (1999, Universities of Edinburgh (2003) reprinted 2001 and 2004). Both and Dundee (2005). He was books came to be regarded as elected Fellow of the Institute of foundation sources for students Biology (1967), the Entomological of dragonflies, the second Society of Canada (1977) , of appearing in Japanese translation which he was President from in 2006. Corbet also co-authored 1971 to 1972 and from which he three other books on dragonflies, received the Gold Medal for each with a regional focus: the Outstanding Achievement in New Naturalist Dragonflies 1974, the Royal Society of Tropical referred to above (1960, reprinted Medicine and Hygiene (1985), and 1985, with C. Longfield and N.W. the Royal Society of Arts (1991). Moore); volume 3 of The Odonata He was elected a Fellow of the of Canada and Alaska (1975, Royal Society of Edinburgh in reprinted 1978 and 1998, with 1987, and awarded the Society’s E.M. Walker); and an updated Neill Medal in 2002. Honorary version of the 1960 New Natural- Memberships included the British ist book (published in 2008 with Dragonfly Society (1991), the S.J. Brooks). Corbet died during Société Française d’Odonatologie the final preparation of that book. (1997) and the Dragonfly Society The book published in 1999, of the Americas (2002). During Dragonflies. Behaviour and 2001 to 2003 he was President of Ecology of Odonata, was regarded the Worldwide Dragonfly Associa- as a definitive synthesis for which tion. He served as consultant, as Corbet was awarded the Neill an applied entomologist, for the Medal for Natural History by the Food and Agriculture Organiza- Royal Society of Edinburgh. His tion and the World Health output of published research was Organization of the United varied and extensive, comprising Nations and for the European more than 250 papers in refereed Economic Community. scientific journals reporting In 1990 Corbet retired from the findings on fishes, crocodiles, University of Dundee, as Professor bats, mosquitoes, dragonflies and Emeritus of Zoology, to work in an other aquatic insects, pest honorary capacity at the Depart- management, demography, ment of Zoology, University of resource management and arctic Edinburgh, where he was ap- microclimate. His research led to pointed Honorary Professor in

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1996. In that same year he retired an almost complete recovery. Each to Cornwall where he lived in a of his three marriages had been converted water mill which had a dissolved but Philip enjoyed great dragonfly pond nearby. As well as happiness during his closing years working on his books there and from his partnership with Sarah enjoying music (he played the Jewell who, with his sister Sarah clarinet proficiently), he served on Corbet and his daughter Katarina, the Council and Executive of the survived him. Philip Corbet died in Cornwall Wildlife Trust and as Truro Cornwall on 13 February foundation Chair of the Trust’s 2008. Conservation Strategy Committee. This obituary is based largely on In January 2001 Philip suffered a autobiographical notes prepared mild stroke, from which he made by Philip Corbet. Peter S Maitland

Philip Steven Corbet, BSc, PhD, DSc. Born 21 May 1929. Elected FRSE 1987. Died 13 February 2008.

307 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

William Murray Cormie 12 June 1915 – 8 May 2005

Bill Cormie achieved great He spent university vacations distinction in a broad range of working with Crouch & Hogg, activities, professionally and consulting civil engineers and, through his contributions to the after graduation, completed his community. His achievements training under agreement with were matched by a balanced and that firm, with which he main- engaging but modest personality tained a lifelong association. that made him many friends and Along with several of his fellow admirers. graduates, he was commissioned He was the eldest of four children, in the supplementary reserve of from a family with a craftsmanship the Royal Engineers, and on the background. His father, James, outbreak of the Second World was a foreman iron turner, and War was immediately mobilised this may have influenced his and sent to France. He was still in choice of a career in civil engineer- France after Dunkirk, blowing up ing. bridges, and was eventually evacuated from the Cherbourg After Dumbarton Academy, he area. In 1944, he was one of the entered the Faculty of Engineering first back into France, to rebuild at the University of Glasgow and bridges. graduated with First-class Hon- ours in civil engineering in 1937. In the intervening years he had He financed his studies by married Dorothy Smellie, being lecturing part-time at Stow wed in April 1941 before seeing College. service in north Africa and Italy. While in north Africa he received a He excelled academically and in message: “To Dorothy - a son”. other university activities. He was an excellent athlete, being His career in the military was as awarded a Soccer Blue by the distinguished as his university Athletics Club, of which he was one. He rose rapidly to the rank of elected vice-president. He was also Lt-Colonel, was twice mentioned prominent in the university in Dispatches and was awarded Engineering Society, of which he the OBE for military service, and later became president. This the ERD. balance of interests was character- On demobilisation in 1946 he istic of his activities throughout rejoined Crouch & Hogg, which his life. had been founded in 1864 during

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the boom in railway construction. Commons and Lords, and to a In 1948 Bill was made one of five lengthy case in Hong Kong, acting partners, and became senior for the World Bank. He was also partner in 1968, by which time appointed a member of the the firm had expanded into a wide Reservoir Panel of Engineers range of design and consulting under the Reservoir Safety commissions, from dams, water Provisions Act of 1975. supply and hydro-electric genera- Apart from his work in the firm, tion, to steelworks, roads and he gave substantial service to the bridges, including the White Cart professional societies of which he viaduct at Glasgow Airport, and was a member. He was Chairman eventually to the Kessock Bridge of the Glasgow and West of near Inverness and the Cromarty Scotland Association of the and Dornoch Firth bridge cross- Institution of Civil Engineers, and ings. later served on the council of that Each of the partners had their organisation in London. He was particular expertise and responsi- President of the Institution of bilities. Bill Cormie’s interests were Engineers and Shipbuilders in primarily in the field of water Scotland from 1971 to 1973 and supply, drainage and sewage of the Institution of Water disposal. Various regional Engineers (Scottish Section) in schemes were designed and 1971. His contributions to civil constructed, but the biggest was engineering were further recog- the Loch Lomond Project, de- nised by his election as a Fellow of signed to control the water of the the Royal Society of Edinburgh in loch and make available a water 1971. supply to meet industrial and His interests were not confined to domestic requirements across engineering, and among his many central Scotland. services to the community were He was awarded the CBE (to add his time as a director of the East to his military OBE) for his services Park Homes for Infirm Children, to civil engineering and primarily his more than 50 years as an elder for his participation in the Loch of St John’s Renfield Church, and Lomond scheme. his eight years on the Court of the His experience, judgment and University of Glasgow, where his integrity led to his appointment as professional experience was of an arbiter on disputes in engineer- great value in its building and ing contracts, as an expert witness estates affairs. in the Court of Session to public He was a skilful angler, and his enquiries by the Houses of favourite leisure time was spent

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on the river Earn. His enjoyed Dorothy, in 2003 after 62 years of being with family and friends in marriage. Strachur and there were many He is survived by his five children, happy holidays in Menorca. He Murray, Inez, Alistair, Angus, even had time, to the amusement Graeme, and seven grandchildren. of his friends, to win three “Wee One of his sons followed him into Stinker” Crossword t-shirts from civil engineering, as has one of his the Herald. grandsons. He had a long and happy married A truly remarkable life. life until the death of his wife, Submitted by Professor H B Sutherland

William Murray Cormie, CBE, ERD, BSc(Glas), FICE. Civil engineer. Born 12 June 1915. Elected FRSE 1977. Died 8 May 2005.

This obituary also appeared in The Scotsman on 10 June 2005

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William Alexander Cramond 2 October 1920 – 7 June 2004

William Alexander Cramond, Over dinner in 1974, so serious a psychiatrist and university admin- scientist as (later istrator: born Aberdeen 2 October Lord Phillips of Ellesmere), then 1920; Physician Superintendent, Professor of Molecular Biophysics Woodilee Mental Hospital, at Oxford University, told me that Glasgow 1955-61; OBE 1960; his advice was to close four British Director of Mental Health, South universities – one of which he Australia 1961–65; Professor of named as Stirling – and concen- Mental Health, University of trate resources elsewhere. Adelaide 1963–71; Principal Moreover, Stirling was uniquely Medical Officer in Mental Health, vulnerable. In 1972 there had Scottish Home and Health been a royal visit. The students Department 1971–72; Professor had been cooped up indoors in of Mental Health and Dean of the cafeterias with access to alcohol. Faculty of Medicine, Leicester One student, looking malign, but University 1972–75; Principal and actually benevolently sozzled, Vice-Chancellor, Stirling University approached the Queen bottle in 1975–80; Director of Mental hand, and the threatening picture Health Services, New South Wales went round the world. The name 1980–83; Professor of Clinical of Stirling was besmirched. Psychiatry, Flinders University Potential donors had second 1983–92 (Emeritus); AO 1994; thoughts. married 1949 Bertine Mackintosh The infant university, founded in (one son, one daughter); died 1967, had lost its gifted first Adelaide, South Australia 7 June Secretary, Harry Donnelly, and 2004. then, in 1973, its Vice-Chancellor That Stirling University has an Tom Cottrell, the much-respected assured place among well- chemist, died of a stroke brought regarded British universities is in on by stress. Fred Holliday, later significant part due to the wise Vice-Chancellor of Durham, stood and constructive Vice-Chancellor- in. The Appointments Committee ship of the distinguished looked far and wide for a Vice- psychiatrist William Cramond. Chancellor who could rescue the In 1975, when Cramond took dire situation (I know because my over the reins, the future of father-in-law, John Wheatley, the Stirling University was in peril. Lord Justice Clerk, was Chairman

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of the University Court). In Bill death of a much-loved family Cramond they found their man. member. Sometimes success in a William Alexander Cramond was course of first aid in the Scouts or educated at the rigorous Robert Guides is the spark that kindles Gordon’s College in Aberdeen the flame. More rarely nowadays and at Aberdeen University, from is there a long family tradition of where he volunteered in 1940 for producing doctors.” military service. He was posted to But what, he asked, of the the Third Battalion of the Tenth unconscious motives? Gurkha Rifles in India. After a year “The first I would mention is the training for war against the early, normal unconscious identifi- Japanese, he was stricken by polio cation of the child, boy and girl, and returned to Aberdeen with a mother. She seems to be University. the source of compassion, mercy, His first senior job was as physi- nurturing, succouring, healing cian superintendent at the and comforting. So these values Woodilee Mental Hospital outside attributed to her are incorporated Glasgow between 1955 and in the growing child and a choice 1961. He and his wife, Bertine, of profession where they can be also a psychiatrist, had a chance acted out is made. Or again there invitation from a visiting Austral- is the theme of curiosity about the ian for him to become Director of body. I guess as children we have Mental Health for South Australia, all played at being doctors, and which he did for four years before for some of us these simple, becoming Professor of Mental superficial examinations of the Health at the University of Ad- other’s body in a rather furtive and elaide, 1963-71. secretive way become in reality Tempted back to Britain by the “Let’s be a doctor” in later life, offer of a post as Principal Medical where the final answer to the Officer in Mental Health in the question of what is really inside is Scottish Home and Health given.” Department, he returned to Cramond was a champion of academia as Dean of the Faculty of many causes. He opposed all Medicine at Leicester University. forms of restriction, overt or His inaugural lecture, Prescription covert, on the entry of women for a Doctor, attracted national into medicine. While it was true attention: that many never fulfilled their “Sometimes people decide on academic or professional potential medicine as a career because of in terms of the obtaining of personal illness, or the sickness or higher qualifications or of

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research output, the quality of Perhaps Cramond’s most impor- their work was as high as that of tant legacy was his careful work their male colleagues as was their published in the Journal of conscientiousness. Cramond Psychiatric Medicine, The Lancet concluded: and the British Medical Journal on “I ask myself my criterion of a the care of the dying. good doctor and it is this. Is this Leaving Stirling in an infinitely the man or woman that I would healthier situation than he found ask to look after my wife and it, in 1980 he returned to Austral- children, mother and father? If we ia to become Director of Mental can answer that question in the Health Services for New South affirmative and can apply this to Wales and, finally, 1983–92, our graduates, then Leicester Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at town and gown will have done Flinders University, South Aust- well. This must be our steadfast ralia. goal and in time our achieve- Tam Dalyell ment.”

William Alexander Cramond, FRCPsych, FRACP, FRANZCP. Born 2 October 1920. Elected FRSE 1978. Died 7 June 2004

First published in The Independent, 24 June 2004 Reproduced with permission from The Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/william-cramond- 6166737.html

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Jack Dainty 7 May 1919 – 29 May 2009

Jack Dainty, who has died aged Sheffield. He was a precocious 90, was a pioneer in the field of child – learning to read at three – plant biophysics. As a trained and he excelled in two fields: physicist, he argued successfully, mathematics and football. He was and sometimes against significant also interested in natural history opposition, that the same sort of and evolution and read widely quantitative physical principles around the subject, despite little that had so successfully been encouragement. This interest, applied to understanding how fuelled by long walks in the animals function could also be countryside, ignited his later applied to plants. Dainty formulat- professional interest in biology. ed some of the essential physical Brought up in a mining communi- concepts that describe movement ty, nobody in Dainty’s family had of ions and water into and pursued education beyond 14, yet through plant cells, and ultimately he obtained a scholarship to through the plant itself. These Cambridge University to study uniquely plant-related issues Mathematics, then transferring to relate to drought and salt stress, Physics because he felt the former and in the context of global subject too narrow. At the warming, affect us all. beginning and end of each term, When, in the 1950s, Dainty he would cycle the 120 miles or so transferred his research attentions between Mexborough and from physics to plants, plant Cambridge carrying all his books physiological research had, in with him! general, a reputation for being After the end of his undergradu- rather woolly and descriptive. ate course in 1940, Dainty was Dainty’s lucid thinking helped to recruited in Cambridge to re- transform the phenomenological search in one of two small British into the hypothesis-driven. His teams working on nuclear fission. lasting legacy has been, through The issue was clear: the prospect his research papers and through of a British atomic bomb. But his mentorship of researchers, to Dainty’s realisation was that this get plant physiologists to think was not so much a research quantitatively. problem as a technological one. Dainty was raised in a financially- With some scientists spirited off and culturally-deprived back- to Los Alamos, Dainty was left ground in Mexborough, near heading the cyclotron team.

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After a period at the Canadian direction the transport of the ions Atomic Energy Labs at Chalk River, sodium and chloride was ener- Ontario between 1946 and 1949, gised. Further insightful and Dainty returned to the UK and the rigorous work in the 1950s used University of Edinburgh to an the principles of irreversible academic position in Physics. He thermodynamics to investigate the lectured on relativity, quantum possibility that aqueous pores theory, and the theory of errors. existed in plant membranes and And then something fortuitous to understand how water flows happened. might be related to solute flows. In 1952, Dainty was asked to A key critical finding at that time teach physics to a class of 300 was in alerting investigators to the medical, dental and veterinary nature of unstirred layers – a students. Initially he declined, on principle familiar to physicists and the basis that he would not wish engineers, but widely ignored by to teach students who were not biologists. His work was recog- interested in physics. An enlight- nised by the Royal Society of ened head of department – the Edinburgh who elected him a nuclear physicist Norman Feather Fellow in 1952. – negotiated with the University In 1963, Dainty moved to the that there could be a Department University of East Anglia to of Biophysics as a quid pro quo, become one of the four founding with Dainty as its head, were chairs in what is now a thriving Dainty to undertake the teaching. School of Biological Sciences. The Department was established There he was able to integrate in an ex-chicken-house, and thus biophysics as a key element in a Dainty changed career. biology curriculum. In the ensuing Although he researched for a eight years, Dainty established short time on ion transport across UEA as a centre for plant biophys- nerve cell membranes, Dainty ics. He moved in 1969, first to wanted to develop novel systems, UCLA and then to take the Chair and viewed plants as an opportu- in Botany at the University of nity. Little was known about the Toronto – thereby heading the physical principles that under- largest plant sciences department pinned the movement of ions and in North America at that time. He water across plant cell mem- spent the final two decades of his branes, and Dainty, together with career there, making a number of his first graduate student, Enid key appointments through MacRobbie, established through visionary academic leadership. the application of radioisotopes Dainty was an avid reader of (to measure ion fluxes) in which novels and could converse expertly

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on most authors. Perhaps it was dices regarding plant science this love of literature that made research during the 1970s that him also an outstanding commu- the Royal Society never elected nicator of science. Some Dainty as a Fellow. authoritative reviews in the early Dainty was a true Renaissance 1960s not only made accessible to Man: besides his love of literature the average plant biologist the and classical music, he played biophysical concepts of ion and semi-professional football before water transport in plants: they World War II during his days in also inspired considerable Cambridge and had a trial, as a research in the field. General schoolboy, for Huddersfield Town, acceptance of this biophysical the Manchester United of their framework helped to integrate the day. He could converse in Italian, two previously-disparate fields of French, and Czech as well as being plant biology and physics. able to read and write Russian. Dainty was, above all, a modest Dainty has six children (five and generous person. A lifelong survived him), four with his first socialist, he always remembered wife, Mary (whom he married his origins, encouraged young in 1941) and two with his second investigators and never sought wife Trish (whom he married in recognition – being much more 1968). He was a much loved interested to talk about science father and was invariably gener- than to gossip about accolades. ous and supportive of his children Even so, he was elected to the in whatever they did. national science academies of Canada, Italy, France and Scotland. Dale Sanders It is a sad reflection of the preju-

Jack Dainty MA(Cantab), DSc(Edinburgh). Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada; Associé étranger of L’Académie des Sciences de l’ Institut de France; Accademico of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome. Corre- sponding member: American Society of Plant Physiologists; Botanical Society of America. Awarded the Gold Medal of the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists. Born 7 May 1919. Elected FRSE 1952. Died 29 May 2009.

Reproduced by permission of the author from his text given for an obituary later published in a shorter form in The Guardian 24 June 2009.

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Douglas Scott Falconer 10 March 1913 – 23 February 2004

Professor Douglas Falconer was Zoology in 1940. Apparently, Emeritus Professor of Genetics, Thompson would have awarded and formerly Professor of Genet- the degree without an exam, but ics, Head of the Department of the Dean prevailed, and a nominal Genetics and Director of the AFRC oral was held. From there Falconer Unit of Animal Genetics at the went to Cambridge and took a University of Edinburgh. He made PhD under James Gray, working major contributions to the on the behaviour of wireworms. understanding of the genetics of From 1943 to 1945 he held a quantitative traits through his temporary lectureship at Queen research, teaching and writing, Mary College, London, then based notably his book Introduction to in Cambridge. Quantitative Genetics, and was Falconer developed an interest in elected FRSE in 1972 and FRS in genetics, giving a course at QMC. 1973. He was born in Old Mel- To further this, he took an drum, Aberdeenshire on 10 opportunity for a research March 1913, and died in Edin- assistant position at Cambridge burgh on 23 February, 2004, aged with Sir Ronald Fisher, the leading 90. statistician and geneticist. There Falconer’s parents were from Falconer started work with the Edinburgh, neither coming from a mouse, the animal that he used so scientific background. His father successfully for the rest of his was a minister of the United Free career, to study the genetics of Church, whose first parish was both individual mutant genes and where Douglas was born, but the quantitative traits. Falconer family returned to Edinburgh concluded that one of Fisher’s soon after. He attended Edin- experiments was flawed; but his burgh Academy, where he criticism was ill-received, Fisher developed an interest in science, telling him the next day that he although biology was not taught. had better arrange to go to His university education was Edinburgh soon, where he had delayed for five years as he obtained a research post. contracted tuberculosis, and he Falconer was appointed to the did not start at St Andrews ARC’s new Animal Genetics and University until 1936. There he Breeding Research Organisation was particularly influenced by in Edinburgh in 1947. He was D’Arcy Thompson, graduating based in the University in the with First-class Honours in

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Institute of Animal Genetics under rather than of kind, quantitative C H Waddington, Buchanan rather than qualitative. These are Professor of Genetics. This the individual differences which, comprised an illustrious group as Darwin wrote, “afford materials indeed, including many Fellows of for natural selection to act on and the RSE, among whom in the accumulate, in the same manner 1940s/50s on the quantitative as man accumulates in any given genetic side were Eric Reeve, Jim direction individual differences in Rendel, Alan Robertson, Forbes his domestic productions.” An Robertson and Falconer; in mouse understanding of the inheritance genetics were Mary Lyon and Toby of the difference is thus of Carter; and in other areas Char- fundamental significance in the lotte Auerbach, Geoffrey Beale, study of evolution and in the Alan Beatty and Mick Callan. Here, application of genetics to animal Falconer’s research on genetics of and plant breeding; and it is from relevance to animal improvement these two fields of enquiry that using the mouse flourished and in the subject has received the chief due course he obtained funds for impetus to its growth.” a large new animal house. The Preface outlines Falconer’s The group saw a need to train objectives: people in genetics for research “My aim in writing this book has and the animal breeding industry. been to provide an introductory A postgraduate Diploma in textbook of quantitative genetics, Animal Genetics, including with the emphasis on general courses in quantitative genetics, principles rather than on practical was established, taught by application, and one moreover University and non-University that can be understood by staff. This led to Falconer’s biologists of no more than Introduction to Quantitative ordinary mathematical ability...” Genetics, first published in 1960 and going through four editions, “I have had no particular class of the last in 1996 co-authored by reader in mind, but have tried to his former colleague Trudy make the book useful to as wide a Mackay, with translations into at range of readers as possible.” least nine languages. The He certainly succeeded, for me Introduction to the first edition and numerous others. The book defines the subject: has had a great and continuing “Quantitative genetics is con- influence on the development of cerned with the inheritance of quantitative genetics, as a class those differences between text and a reference for evolution- individuals that are of degree ary biologists, for breeders, and

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for investigators of natural, their own environment, but when domestic animal and human transferred to the other diet, populations. Its clarity is matched those reared on the poorer diet only by Falconer’s other writing did relatively better. He also had and teaching. an important insight, that growth Falconer’s earlier publications in on the two environments could be genetics were on mutant genes in regarded as two traits and analysis the mouse, which he identified could be in terms of the genetic and mapped into linkage groups, correlation, previously defined including a neurological mutant only for traits on the same ‘reeler’ and the first useful sex- individual. linked mutant ‘Tabby’. He also He worked extensively on the undertook theoretical studies on inheritance of litter size. Although estimation of mutation rates and closely related to fitness and thus linkage. The quantitative genetic previously subject to natural work had a longer gestation, for selection, Falconer showed it he used selection experiments could be increased by artificial where the heaviest or most prolific selection. With students, includ- animals were selected as parents ing his subsequent colleague of the next generation. This Crad Roberts, he demonstrated provided a route both to estimate the expected deleterious effects of parameters such as heritability of inbreeding, but that the best the traits and to investigate how inbred lines could reach the much change could be achieved. outbred level. Based on his Although his experiments could analysis of litter size he developed last five or more years, the twenty an inciteful model to describe generations in mice represented a maternal effects in terms of a century of cattle breeding. regression of offspring on His first published selection mother’s performance. experiment was important. There He further demonstrated the was then a dogma, espoused by power of selection experiments by Hammond, that rate of improve- increasing the susceptibility to ment was maximised by rearing urethane induced lung tumours, breeding animals in a high quality nicely illustrating genetic variabili- environment, regardless of how ty in susceptibility to cancer. well commercial stock were Falconer’s last major experiment managed. By selecting lines for involved selection for high and high body weight on both full low body weight in replicated and restricted feeding, Falconer lines to provide material for showed, however, that most subsequent evaluation of its response on each was made on

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genetic basis. He designed an which was an onerous task, for it elegant experiment, in which was in effect a large group of chimaeric embryos were made semi-autonomous but high- from high and low lines. These quality research fiefdoms. It differ randomly in the proportions continued to thrive under Falcon- of tissue from each parent, so by er’s direction. He was a using a genetic marker, growth quiet-spoken and extremely polite rate could be related to the individual, most effusive in his proportion of high/low genotype thanks, notwithstanding any in each organ of each individual. reservations about the quality of No single organ was found to the advice he received. ‘control’ growth; gene action was Douglas Falconer married Marga- both systemic and more dis- ret Duke, a classics teacher and persed, as might be expected with daughter of a classics don at polygenic inheritance. Cambridge, in 1942. She and Stimulated by an enquiry on how their two sons survive him. to analyse the inheritance in Douglas and Margaret were a humans of common diseases with close couple, including a shared all-or-none expression but not interest in walking, gardening and due to single genes, such as music, Douglas playing the flute susceptibility to diabetes or renal well into his 80s. He was also a stones, Falconer made a major keen bird-watcher and sailor. He contribution to human genetics. developed diabetes in mid life, Based on just two quantities, the which he controlled, but in his last incidences in the population and years he became increasingly in the relatives of affected individ- blind. On his retirement, he uals, he showed how to estimate ceased experimental work, but the heritability of liability to the maintained an office and contin- disease and that in many cases ued writing. Indeed the 4th edition values were high. of his book was published when Falconer became Deputy Director he was 83, and he still came into of the ARC Unit of Animal the lab for discussions about Genetics and, following appoint- science. ment in 1968 by the University of He is remembered with affection Edinburgh to a Personal Chair in by me and his other colleagues Genetics, Director of the Unit until and former students, and by many his retirement in 1980. He also who knew him only through his was Head of the Department of writing. Genetics from 1969 to 1977, William G Hill

Douglas Scott Falconer, FRS, Born 10 March 1913. Elected FRSE 1972. Died 23 February 2004. 320 Obituary Notices

Peter Berners Fellgett 11 April 1922 – 15 November 2008

Peter Berners Fellgett,Emeritus industry. When he retired in 1987, Professor of Cybernetics at the these degrees and the Depart- University of Reading, died ment still existed, despite the fact peacefully in his sleep in Novem- that the subject of cybernetics had ber 2008 at his home in Cornwall. become unfashionable. Since PBF, or ðÖ as he liked to be then, Cybernetics at Reading has known, was the first Professor of been able to flourish, thanks to a Cybernetics in the UK, having new set of academics, including been appointed in 1964 into his successor Kevin Warwick, but what became the Department of building on what Peter and others Applied Physical Sciences, which had established. later became the Departments of PBF is perhaps most famous for Cybernetics and Engineering. the ‘Fellgett Advantage’, which He was responsible for gathering arose from work for his PhD at the a group of academics including University of Cambridge. This Peter Atkinson, Paddy Walker, Alex technique in infrared spectroscopy Andrew, George Whitfield, John involves the use of an interferom- Seeley, Mike Usher, Arthur Allen, eter which produces interference John Foley-Fisher and George patterns for all wavelengths of Reynolds, being specialists in light entering the device at the control, computing, artificial same time, as opposed to a intelligence, instrumentation, spectrometer with only sees one electronics and aspects of human wavelength at a time. This allows biology. They developed the infrared spectra to be produced degrees which were eventually with resolution similar to that of called Cybernetics & Control optical-range spectra, where Engineering, Cybernetic Science, previously they had been vague Computer Science and Cybernet- wavy lines. This work, in particular, ics and Psychology and led to him being made an FRS in Cybernetics - whose cybernetic 1986. content was consistent with From Cambridge he moved to the Wiener’s definition: control and Royal Observatory in Edinburgh communication in the animal and continuing his interests in the machine. They were responsi- instrument science. He comment- ble for numerous research ed that ‘the basic idea of projects and, unusually at the “instrument physics” is to time, for collaboration with

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understand in a full scientific for encouraging Mike Usher to sense why an instrument has a develop the force feedback particular performance’, he seismometer, work which contin- argued: ues even today at Guralp Systems. “In most cases, a scientific Later he supervised Dave Keating instrument is devised in the first in the development of the optical place as a means to the end of force-feedback microphone. making some physical phenome- This latter work also related to his non or quantity susceptible to great interest in audio and observation or measurement, and another area for which he was once it has served this purpose renowned, namely Ambisonics. nobody thinks very deeply about it One motivation for this was to again. Consequently, it is often introduce more ‘animal’ aspects tacitly accepted that ‘in theory’ an into the cybernetics degrees: instrument should have a particu- sound localisation in humans is a lar performance, but ‘in practice’ it non trivial problem. PBF, with does not. This however is not Michael Gerzon, Peter Craven and good science, which demands others, was responsible for this that if theory and practice differ, major development in sound then one or both must be im- recording and reproduction, in proved. Had Adams and Le Verrier which the use of four channels been content to say that ‘in allowed ‘surround sound’ with theory’ Uranus moves in a particu- unprecedented realism. The lar orbit but ‘in practice’ in a system was demonstrated, for slightly different one, the planet instance, at a local IERE lecture in Neptune would never have been Reading. The audience heard discovered.” sounds moving realistically This approach made him a very around and then at one point an suitable candidate when, largely ambulance went passed with due to Professor Robert Ditch- sirens going - those in the room burn, the University of Reading, were unsure whether this was in showing far-sighted initiative, fact an ambulance going passed created the Department of or another part of the demonstra- Applied Physical Sciences with two tion. chairs, one in Engineering Science, He had a shared interest in the other in Cybernetics. Thus in instrumentation with his friend 1964, Peter Fellgett became James Lovelock, of Gaia hypothe- Professor of Cybernetics and sis fame. This led to the Instrument Physics. There his appointment of Lovelock as interest in Instrument Science Visiting Professor of Cybernetics, continued and he was responsible to the mutual benefit of both

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Lovelock and Cybernetics. For continued to correspond with instance, several members of the newspapers. He was referred to as Department were involved in a the Royal Astronomical Society’s project headed by Lovelock to long-established curmudgeon-in- study the lives of the dinosaurs, chief. He wrote to Kevin Warwick who survived on earth for very on how to run the Cybernetics much longer than humans have, Department – should I be flattered so far. An aspect of this that that he did not so write to me received much publicity was the when I was Head of Department? construction and test-flying by He urged that Britain’s wiring George Whitfield of scale models regulations be overhauled, having of pterodactyls. stumbled across what he believed Another valuable appointment as to be a dangerous anomaly in the Visiting Professor was of Philip rules after narrowly avoiding a Woodward of the Royal Radar shock from the casing of his Establishment. His early work on washing machine. In 2003, he information theory applied to stated that “It is a standing vice of radar was fundamental to PBF’s geophysics not to argue against work in Edinburgh on automatic unpalatable facts and arguments cataloguing of stars from neces- but simply to ignore them and sarily imperfect images, and to carry on as if they did not exist.” instrumentation in general. He also provided a generic recipe Significantly, Woodward was head for cooking: “Place the dry of a small group that wrote the ingredients into a clean bowl. Add world’s first compiler for a version liquids as appropriate. Stir of Algol 68. From the start, thoroughly and cook until done.” Cybernetics students were taught Although it is now 21 years since Algol programming, necessarily he retired, he still has an influence Algol 60 at first, but Algol 68 on the courses we offer. He when it became available. PBF was stressed the importance of having emphatic about the shortcomings high loop gain in feedback of the language known as Basic as systems – I still use his phrase that an introduction to programming, the loop gain should be ‘negligi- commenting (in a version bow- bly large’. We still teach a dlerised by Stan Kelly-Bootle) Principles of Feedback course “Basic is manure. Extended Basic where we cover Bode’s fundamen- is manure with icing.”. He also tal work on the maximum asked rhetorically “Is Computer attainable feedback. The Gaia Science?”. hypothesis is also included in a Retirement did not stop him third year module. Instrumen- commenting and advising. He tation, and his approach, is still

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recognised in the other modules. jointly the two subjects of Cyber- In addition, we maintain the netics and of Control Engineering. ‘Fellgett Room’ in his memory - he He would certainly have had was pleased to receive such something to say if we had told recognition, commenting that the him that the University Student only other room named after him Record system seems unable to was an extra toilet he had argued cope with ‘&’ in a degree title! for in Edinburgh. I remember him as a gifted PBF called himself a cybernetist, as academic, very supportive of opposed to cyberneticist or students, always able to pick out cybernetician – primarily (as he the key aspects of a student told us in a revision tutorial in my project. I am for ever grateful for final year) because it was the what he and colleagues taught shortest. He described cybernetics me in Cybernetics, for his advice as anything in which he was when I was writing my thesis and interested! He had very strong that he appointed me lecturer. views on the use of English Dr Richard Mitchell, Senior language: in the degree titled Lecturer in Cybernetics, Cybernetics & Control Engineer- University of Reading ing, the ampersand is used rather (with comments from than ‘and’, as the latter would Dr Alex Andrew) indicate that the degree comprises

Peter Berners Fellgett, FRS, FIEE, MA, PhD(Cantab). Born 11 April 1922. Elected FRSE 1961. Died 15 November 2008

First published by the University of Reading. Reproduced with permission from Dr Richard Mitchell http://www.reading.ac.uk/sse/about/news/sse-newsarticle-2008-11-25.aspx

324 Obituary Notices

Norman Gash 16 January 1912 – 1 May 2009

Norman Gash was born on 16th ing a course for foreigners in January, 1912, in Meerut, India, German language and literature where his father Frederick Gash, a at Berlin University. This course left professional soldier, was serving him with a life-long love of the with the Royal Berkshire Regi- works of Thomas Mann. He was ment, a regiment long-associated rueful in later life when people with India. He was always proud asked if he had attended any of of being born where the first Hitler’s rallies. Few if any expected mutinies in the Bengal Army had Hitler to emerge as Germany’s broken out in 1857. When he was dictator in 1930, so he had not, only a few months old the family though he did hear some of returned to the UK and lived Hitler’s broadcasts. As late as the successively in Portsmouth, Dublin 1970s, his junior colleagues were and Reading because of his liable to repeat the canard about father’s postings. From 1919 to him attending a Hitler rally, but 1923 he attended Wilson Road that was parallel to the slur about School and Palmer School in the Duke of Wellington denying Reading, winning a scholarship to that he was an Irishman (as if he Reading School in 1923. At would apologise for his existence). Reading School, which had a Lady Longford long ago showed traditional connection with army the lie was manufactured by a families, Norman specialised on Republican Nationalist in the the classical and language side nineteenth century to insinuate with Latin, French and English that Irishmen like Arthur Wellesley literature his best subjects. had no right to exist. By the late Because of an outstanding history 1970s Norman Gash, a firm master, J. W. Saunders, in 1927 he Conservative and a strong switched from V classical to VI supporter of Mrs Thatcher, may modern to concentrate on history. have been an unwelcome occur- In 1929 he won a Sir Thomas rence to many in an White scholarship to St. John’s overwhelmingly left-of-centre College, Oxford. Academe. He may have opposed The school governors awarded sanctions against Rhodesia, but a Norman a travelling scholarship fascist he was not. when he left, which allowed him At St. John’s, Norman was Kitch- to spend six months in Germany ener scholar 1930–33 and a in 1930, mainly in Berlin, attend- scholar of St. John’s 1930–34. He

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concentrated on modern history sity College, London, as assistant under a very good tutor, W. C. lecturer, a post he was to hold for Costin, and was a college prize- the next four years. He later said man in modern history in 1932. he had ‘few happy memories’ of He graduated with First-class the regime there under Professor Honours in Modern History in (later Sir) John Neale. However, it 1933. It had been a happy was now that he began serious undergraduate career, but his luck research on the landed gentry and ran out when he stayed on at St their political role which led on to John’s to do a B. Litt. on the a wider interest in the general agricultural riots of 1830 with political history of Britain from special reference to Berkshire. His 1815 to 1865. choice of topic was brilliantly In 1940, Norman enlisted in the original, and so far ahead of its army and was assigned to the time that the Marxist historians Intelligence Corps - Field Security. George Rudé and Eric Hobsbawm The following year he was used his thesis decades later in commissioned and served as staff writing their ‘history from below’ officer at Southern Command of the 1830 uprising, Captain 1941–43, and then in MI14 at the Swing. Norman’s supervisor did War Office 1943–46, where he not understand his topic, and specialised in the activities of the cared less. Finally, Norman SS. He was one of the team that suffered a traumatic oral exam compiled the report into Hitler’s and later summed up his B. Litt. suicide that was edited and later course as ‘Oxford at its worst’. He published by Hugh Trevor-Roper graduated in 1934. as The Last Days of Hitler. In 1946 Employment in the mid 1930s he was demobbed with the rank was difficult, and Norman’s first of major (General Staff), but even post was as history master in a after that MI 14 called on him to boys’ preparatory school where he make trips to occupied Europe in remembered reading Westward connection with the preparation Ho to the boys in the evenings of cases for the Nuremburg Trials. before lights out, and them crying He recalled meeting a Polish man when Amyas Leigh was blinded by who had been in one of the lightning off Lundy after chasing a camps on a train and their only Spanish galleon. In August 1935 common language was Latin. he married (Ivy) Dorothy White- In 1946, with his wife and two horn, also from Reading, while at daughters, Norman moved back Edinburgh University on a tempo- to Scotland. He applied for a post rary lectureship. At the end of that in St. Andrews University as a time, in 1936, he went to Univer- lecturer in modern British and

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American history. The eccentric 1967 to 1971 he was Vice- but shrewd Ulsterman, Jack Principal of the University of St. Williams, who was Professor of Andrews. He also served as Dean History in St. Andrews, instantly of the Faculty of Arts from 1978 deemed Norman the best candi- to 1980 and from 1955 to 1980 date when he answered a query as sat on the Military Education to why he wanted to be a histori- Committee. He chaired this an with the honest reply that committee for many years with having seen something of the increasing responsibilities when profession, he was not sure he the Universities of Dundee and did. In St. Andrews he continued then Stirling amalgamated their the work begun at London OTCs with St. Andrews. He used University, bringing out his first to enjoy going to summer camp book Politics in the Age of Peel in with them. 1953. That year he became a It was during this second time at Fellow of the Royal Historical St. Andrews University that Society and was also appointed to Norman was most productive and the chair of modern history at the Mr. Secretary Peel appeared in University of Leeds after favoura- 1961. In 1962 he was Hinkley ble notice of his work by Sir Lewis Visiting Professor at Johns Namier. He held this position until Hopkins University in Baltimore, 1955, when he was appointed Maryland. In 1963 he became a Professor of History and Head of Fellow of the British Academy. Department at St. Andrews From 1963 to 1964 he was Ford’s University, posts that he held until lecturer at Oxford University, his retirement in 1980. Though a publishing these lectures in 1965 committed modernist, he enthusi- as Reaction and Reconstruction in astically supported the English Politics 1932–52. In 1968 development of a distinguished The Age of Peel was published, department of Medieval History followed in 1973 by Sir Robert and was privately frustrated by Peel. He became a Fellow of the problems with two successive Royal Society of Literature the senior incumbents which delayed same year. In 1976, Peel, a similar developments in Scottish shortened version of the two History until the arrival of Profes- volume biography came out, sor Christopher Smout in 1980. followed in 1979 by Aristocracy He served on the Council of the and People: Britain 1815–65. In Royal Historical Society from 1961 1977 he was made a Fellow of the to 1964 and from 1963 to 1964 Royal Society of Edinburgh. was Vice-President of the Histori- During these years he also cal Association of Scotland. From contributed to: Essays in honour

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of Sir Lewis Namier ; The Conserv- the Surtees Society from its ative Leadership 1832–1932; The formation in 1991. Prime Ministers; The Long Debate He took part in local activities in on Poverty. He was also joint Langport and was a member of author with R.A.B. Butler of The the Parish Council for a few years. Conservatives: a history from their His wife died at the end of 1995 origins to 1965. after over sixty years of marriage. He taught himself to sail and used He married again in 1997. to take his honours students out Macular degeneration made in his Dysart yawl in the late gardening, reading and writing 1950s. He also found time to be increasingly difficult but he Honorary President of the student continued to collect old roses. Conservative Society and, with his Until 2006 he swam in the River wife, encouraged a group of Parrett and occasionally off the young Conservative politicians, Dorset coast. Carers and a many of whom served later under gardener enabled him to remain Mrs Thatcher. After retirement, independent and in his own books continued to appear: Lord home until he died without prior Liverpool in 1984; Pillars of illness, peacefully, sitting in his Government in 1986 and Robert favourite chair. Surtees and Early Victorian Society Norman Gash was a great profes- in 1993. There were also contribu- sional historian. His view of Peel tions to the New Dictionary of as essentially a moderate pragma- National Biography and to tist has been modified recently, Encyclopaedia Britannica. In 1987 only in the sense that this would Norman was made an Honorary now be seen as true of Peel’s Fellow of his old college at policies but not of his command Oxford, St. Johns, and in 1989 he style. Norman Gash was also a was awarded the CBE for services great Conservative, but, like his to education. He also served for heroine Margaret Thatcher, not a several years (after retiring to the cosy figure for the Westminster or area) on the committee at South- Oxford Establishments. Perhaps, ampton University, dealing with as his family suggest, he would their collection of Wellington have been accorded much more papers. He was a patron of the recognition had he not spent Peel Society from its formation nearly all his professional life in until his death, and a member of Scotland. Bruce P. Lenman Norman Gash. MLitt, MA(Oxon), HonDLitt(Strathclyde, St Andrews, South- ampton), CBE, FBA. Born 16 January 1912. Elected FRSE 1977. Died 1 May 2009.

328 Obituary Notices

Professor Ronald Haxton Girdwood 19 March 1917 – 5 April 2006

Ronald Haxton Girdwood, who Carnegie could not have wished died on 25 April 2006 in his 90th his wealth better invested. He had year, achieved much during his a glittering undergraduate career career in Academic Medicine. A and was awarded an Honours graduate of Edinburgh University degree and the William Leslie Medical School in 1939, he was Gold Medal, and was named Professor of Therapeutics at the Ettles Scholar as the most distin- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh guished graduate of his year. His (1962–82), Dean of the Faculty of first apprenticeship was with Medicine (1975–79), and Presi- Professor (later Sir) Stanley dent of the Royal College of Davidson in the Royal Infirmary of Physicians of Edinburgh (1982– Edinburgh, but his civilian career 85). An unassuming, modest and was then interrupted by World gentle man, he nonetheless had a War II dogged determination to suc- His medical military service was ceed. In his autobiography, distinguished and mainly in India. Travels with a Stethoscope (1991), He enjoyed his service in India, for he describes the moment, stand- he met Mary Williams from ing alone in the doorway of the Cornwall, a Sister in the Queen Chemistry Department, when it Alexandra’s Imperial Military occurred to him to attempt to Nursing Service, whom he married graduate with Honours. in 1945, and he was able to He was born on 19th March 1917 undertake research into the in Arbroath, the only child of epidemics of anaemia, sore Thomas Girdwood, a pharmacist, tongue, weight loss and diarrhoea and Elizabeth Haxton. The family affecting the British and Indian moved to Edinburgh and Gird- troops and civilian Indians. This wood was educated at Daniel was tropical sprue and he demon- Stewart’s College. Despite strated the megaloblastic anaemia frequent illness, his academic ultimately found to be due to performance gained him entry to folate deficiency. medical school in 1934. His His interest in the megaloblastic father had died during the anaemias was pursued on his previous year and the family return to Edinburgh and during a finances at once became strained. Rockefeller Research Fellowship at The award of a Carnegie Scholar- Ann Arbor and a visiting lecture- ship of £50 per year enabled him ship at Yale in the USA. Although to complete the medical course. he never emphasised his contribu-

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tion to medical science, he was teachers teaching by example, and held in the highest regard by investigators able to translate haematologists and he lectured in clinical problems to the laboratory the most distinguished company. and make discoveries that were His academic excellence is reflect- immediately of practical diagnos- ed in his MD, for which he was tic or therapeutic importance. awarded a Gold Medal in 1954, Moreover, his caring extended the award of the Cullen Prize by beyond his patients to his staff. the College in 1970, and his Staff members will remember admission to the Royal Society of flowers arriving at the maternity Edinburgh in 1978. He published hospital when a new family extensively and contributed to member was born. many books, including Davidson’s Girdwood took a lifelong interest Principles and Practice of Medi- in the Royal College of Physicians cine, the first medical textbook to of Edinburgh (RCPE) and became sell more than a million copies. its President in 1982. His Presi- Girdwood succeeded Sir Derrick dency saw the building of the Dunlop as Professor of Therapeu- Queen Mother Conference Centre tics and, not surprisingly, his at the College and the establish- research was displaced by admin- ment of the Chronicle, forerunner istrative duties in which he of the modern Journal of the delighted at the same time as Royal College of Physicians of complaining of the number of Edinburgh. In 1986 he was committees on which he had to appointed Commander of the serve! He travelled extensively and Order of the British Empire (CBE) delighted in relating the many for services to medicine. near misses and disasters this In retirement he continued for occasioned. His staff anticipated some time as Chairman of the hearing about these after every Scottish National Blood Transfu- trip, and they were never disap- sion Association. He never lost his pointed. His most memorable interest in the College, and he must have been the knock at the found time to write his autobiog- door by an Indian servant on his raphy. His colleagues are grateful wedding night to be told that for his many contributions to there had been a murder in the Edinburgh medicine. adjoining room! Ronald Girdwood is survived by Ronald Girdwood was one of the his wife Mary, son Richard, a last of a generation of doctors lawyer, daughter Diana, a doctor, who could be caring clinicians, and five grandchildren.

Professor Ronald Haxton Girdwood. Born 19 March 1917. Elected FRSE 1978. Died 25 April 2006. 330 Obituary Notices

First published by the Royal College of Physicians (Contributed by A Toft and N Finlayson) http://www.rcpe.ac.uk/publications/obituaries/2006/girdwood.php [RCP Edin OBIT] Obituaries Spring – 2006 Reproduced by permission of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

331 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Alexander Reid Hill 17 October 1919 – 21 October 2006

Alex Hill was a popular Senior Alex attended Blackness Primary Lecturer in Agricultural Zoology at School, Dundee (1925–29) and the University of Glasgow and, over then Harris Academy Primary and his 36 years of teaching there, his Secondary School, Dundee (1929– students went all over the world to 37), where he was awarded a help the development of agricul- Dundee Educational Trust Bursary ture, especially in underdeveloped in 1930 and, in 1937, the countries. Alex was born in Dundee Pitkeathly Dux medal in Biology. In on the 17th October, 1919 and October1937, he matriculated at died on the 21st October, 2006. the University of St Andrews With his passing, Scotland lost an (University College, Dundee) to influential teacher and an innova- study for the degree of Bachelor tive researcher in agricultural of Science and during his time zoology. there he won University Medals in Alex Hill’s parents were both born Natural History (1938) and Botany in Aberdeen from Aberdeenshire (1939). In 1941 he was awarded a families. His father, Alexander BSc in Zoology with First-class Stewart Hill (born in 1884), and his Honours. mother, Barbara Bishop Reid (born The breadth of Alex’s interests in in 1883) died within a few weeks biology were shown in his final of each other in 1948. Both year, when he was privileged to parents encouraged Alex, who was have W.T. Calman FRS, formerly an only child, in his interests and Keeper of Zoology in the British from an early age he found Museum, as a tutor. Two theses scientific matters fascinating. It was were produced by Alex, one on when he began to study biology the fossil fish of Angus, the other that he knew he had found his real on respiratory organs in terrestrial field of work. One of his early Isopoda. teachers, Miss E.B. Taylor, encour- Later in 1941, in receipt of a aged him to join the Dundee Carnegie Research Scholarship, Naturalists’ Society and there he Alex started postgraduate re- learned much of his basic knowl- search in agricultural entomology edge of natural history. Advice too, under Professor A.D. Peacock. The was received from his uncle, latter had become involved in Archibald Stewart Hill, who was an essential war-time research on experienced naturalist and artist infestations of insects in stored who had illustrated publications on food and as a result, the Ministry Fungi and Orchids for the Milwau- kee Museum. 332 Obituary Notices

of Food decided to establish an causing a decline in the health of Infestation Division with scientists raspberries. With his colleague, posted throughout the UK, many plant pathologist Colin Cadman, seconded from posts in the Alex Hill surveyed the insects universities. Professor Peacock was associated with the raspberries asked to organise staff in Scotland and chose to investigate the and, as a result, Alex found possibility that the two aphid himself in Dundee, engaged part- species most commonly found time in the inspection of food might be the vectors. Over the stores throughout Scotland. By previous quarter of a century all the spring of 1943, the Infesta- attempts to discover the true tion Division of the Ministry of vectors had been inconclusive but, Food was well established with a by careful choice of indicator number of full-time scientific varieties, taking young plant inspectors, including Alex. tissue raised from seed or root Monitoring activities ranged from cuttings, and by using large Ministry food stores to food- numbers of aphids, the two processing plants and from major scientists were able to show flour mills to small rural mills. conclusively that the aphids Much time was spent by Alex and Amphorophora rubi and Aphis his colleagues at the seaports of idaei were indeed capable of Glasgow, Leith and Dundee, transmitting most of the viruses. inspecting cargoes of foodstuffs This discovery of the vectors of the for any infestations. If such were viruses opened up a wide field of found they were decontaminated investigation into the nature of at the points of entry so that the the viruses and the epidemiology introduction of massive infesta- of the diseases. tions was prevented. This was Alex’s work was subsequently regarded as essential work and expanded to investigate the continued after the war on a bionomics and control of the reduced scale. Raspberry Moth Incurvaria In 1946, Alex was appointed as rubiella. Outbreaks of this pest entomologist to a scientific study had occurred on a large scale from unit which had been set up in time to time and one such 1943 in the University College outbreak had overtaken the Dundee to study the increasing growers in the mid-1940s. incidence of diseases in raspberry Though still based in Scotland, crops. This was financed by the from 1946–49 Alex was actually Agricultural Research Council. on the staff of the East Malling Priority was given to a search for Research Station in Kent and he vectors of the viruses which were made occasional visits there in

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connection with his research. His graduate course leading to a future wife, Mary, was also a Diploma in Entomology, which member of staff at the Dundee was subsequently expanded to an laboratory where they both MSc Degree in Entomology. Both worked. these courses attracted many In 1948, Alex was awarded the overseas students to the Universi- Degree of PhD by the University of ty. St Andrews for a thesis based on In 1955, Alex successfully applied his research in the previous three for a Carnegie Travelling Scholar- years. In that same important year, ship and a Kellogg Foundation on the 25th August, Alex married Travelling Fellowship to visit North Mary Barbara Watt in Park Church, America and carry out some Dundee. Subsequently the couple research there. He spent time at had three children: Peter Watt Hill, the University of California at Ann Barbara Hill and Robin Berkeley, at the Plant Pathology Edward Hill, all of whom Alex was Laboratory in Vancouver and at inordinately proud of. the Canadian Government Following the initiation in 1949 of Experimental Farm at Ottawa, various lectureships in agricultural carrying out research and visiting science by the University of other research institutions. He was Glasgow, Alex Hill was appointed accompanied in North America by there as Lecturer in Agricultural his wife and young son, Peter. Just Zoology and Applied Entomology. prior to going to North America, After an initial year involved in Alex had started research on the giving courses in general and bionomics of predatory bugs agricultural zoology, he persuaded (Hemiptera Heteroptera) of the the head of the department, genus Anthocoris and a major Professor Maurice Yonge, FRSE, to product of his visit was a key for allow him to develop an Honours the identification of North Degree in Agricultural Zoology. American Anthocoris. Alex then started to organise After returning to Glasgow, Alex, advanced third and fourth year by this time a Senior Lecturer, classes in pure science which were pursued this interest for many pertinent to agricultural zoology years, publishing the results in (e.g. ecology and parasitology), various scientific journals as well and, from 1950 onwards, a as fulfilling his teaching duties number of students followed and supervision of research these courses – many of them students. Alex’s interest in subsequently obtaining senior Anthocoris bugs was a practical posts in various parts of the one. He had never been a devotee world. Alex later initiated a post- of the use of chemicals to control

334 Obituary Notices

pests and preferred to develop aphid vector species Myzus techniques using their natural persicae and showed that in this, predators and parasites. Anthoc- and other potato aphids, the oris bugs prey extensively on extent of virus diseases could be aphids and other small pest insect predicted from the nature of the species and clearly had a role to previous winter, thus allowing for play in pest control. better planning in their control. In 1958, Alex was elected as a Much of this work was published Fellow of the Royal Society of in the Annales of Applied Biology. Edinburgh. He was also an active After he retired, Alex made a member of various other organi- conscious decision to discontinue sations – the Institute of Biology his academic research, although (serving twice on the Scottish he was very tempted by an Committee), the Royal Entomo- approach to carry out some part- logical Society of London (Fellow), time scientific work around Loch the Association of Biologists Lomond. He declined the invita- (Council member), the British tion, noting that he was Ecological Society, the Scottish determined to enjoy his retire- Wildlife Trust (Clyde Area Commit- ment with Mary, and to spend tee member) and the Scottish Field time with his family around the Studies Association. country. This he did for more than Alex’s last research interest in the 20 years, encouraging his four years before his retirement was a grandchildren to take an interest reversion to the aphids with which in science and nature, in the arts he had started his research career. and, not least, in compassionate Initially he studied a species of living. cereal aphid, but subsequently As an Elder at Wellington Church, moved on to important research Glasgow, he remained very active on the aphids involved in the in church life well into his eight- transmission of virus diseases of ies. He also indulged his passion potatoes. It was known that in for visual arts and photography, some years the spread of certain and enjoyed reading and listening potato viruses markedly increased to music. While he took pleasure and an analysis of meteorological in travelling around Great Britain, data indicated a relationship he had no desire to go further between the spread of such afield, being satisfied with the viruses and the severity of the beauty and peace to be found previous winter. Alex and his close to home. Visits from Peter in research students concentrated Australia always brought great their investigations on the cold delight. And Peter always looked hardiness of the most important forward to receiving the latest

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batch of art videos that Alex had While visiting Ann and her family taped for him. in Cheshire, Alex celebrated his With Mary’s health declining 87th birthday with a visit to the through Alzheimer’s disease, Alex Jodrell Bank radio telescope. became her carer – a task which Shortly after this special day, his he took on with characteristic love health declined and he died in and dignity. In 2005, the Hills Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, moved to Longniddry, to be close on the 21st October 2006. Mary, to Robin and his family. Though who by this stage was being cared missing his friends in the west, for in a nursing home in East Alex gained deep satisfaction Lothian, died nine weeks later, on from being back on what he Christmas Day, 2006. termed “my beloved east coast”. I thank Peter, Ann and Robin Hill Soon he grew to love the local for their help in the preparation of scenery and the community spirit this obituary. of East Lothian life. Peter S Maitland

Alexander Reid Hill, BSc, PhD. Born 17 October 1919. Elected FRSE 1958. Died 21 October 2006.

336 Obituary Notices

Thomas Lothian Johnston 9 March 1927 – 25 March 2009

The announcement of the death Graduating at Edinburgh with of Tom Johnston in The Scotsman First-class Honours, he was much made no mention that he was a influenced by the legendary professor and a principal and professor of economics Sir included no reference to his Alexander Gray, who, recognising doctorate and many honorary Tom’s potential, appointed him as degrees. Nor did it say he was a his “varlet”, to devil up aspects of Fellow of the Royal Society of Sir Alexander’s research. He also Edinburgh; indeed, had been its encouraged him to continue his President. That was Tom. He studies at the University of would have liked that. Stockholm. Those born in Hawick are known This gave him a European, indeed as Teries. Thomas Lothian John- an international, view for the rest ston was born in Whitburn, the of his career. Returning to Edin- family moving to Newcastleton burgh, he was awarded a PhD in near Hawick shortly thereafter. So 1955, his subject being the Tom, with a Border surname, Swedish labour market. From became a proud Borderer and in 1955 to 1965 he was a much- every respect other than his place respected lecturer in the of birth, a real Teri. Department of Political Economy at Edinburgh, but his skills were A contemporary at Edinburgh recognised internationally when University, aware of Tom’s academ- he was invited to be Visiting ic skills, asked him why he had not Professor at University of Illinois thought of going to Oxford or and as a Research Fellow at Cambridge. Tom’s reply was that Queen’s University in Ontario. had there been a university at Hawick he wouldn’t have come to Appointed as the first Professor of Edinburgh. Economics at Heriot-Watt Univer- sity in 1966, he became Dean of From Hawick High School he Faculty in 1969. An ever-increas- joined the navy, serving as a sub- ing number of outside lieutenant. Many who were in the appointments came his way, such services in these days found it to as membership of the National be a life-changing experience and Industrial Relations Court, the it was said of Tom that the navy National Youth Employment shaped him. Council and the Milk Marketing Board.

337 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

In 1976 he left academic life, expect to have to wear Gala’s writing and pursuing his growing colours.” He had, of course, interest and skill in industrial played rugby for Hawick Trades relations, mediation and arbitra- and Hawick, as well as being tion and was the first chairman of awarded a Blue at Edinburgh. This the Manpower Services Commit- was in the days of amateur rugby tee for Scotland. and Tom said: “At Edinburgh University we had to pay to have He was back at Heriot-Watt in our jerseys laundered and they 1981 as Principal and Vice- were white.” Chancellor. He would be the first to disclaim a role other than as a Tom was a Fellow of The Royal member of a team of achievers, Society of Edinburgh and its but Tom’s captaincy of the team President from 1993 to 1996. Dr showed shrewd judgment and William Duncan, Chief Executive effective persuasion and this led speaks of his presidency as an to great success for Heriot-Watt. important period in the Society’s Along with the late Professor Tom history and Tom again led a team Patton he early recognised the with vision and a willingness to importance of the North Sea accept change. That he was to oilfield and this led to the estab- hold this office, occupied in years lishment of the Institute of past by another Borderer, Sir Offshore Engineering. He was Walter Scott, must surely have much involved in strengthening pleased Tom Johnston. the university’s links with industry. In 1956 he married Joan. Together Tom brought zest and inspiration they saw the role of the Principal’s to Heriot-Watt, always with a wife as being the university’s humane and light touch and official hostess. How well Joan always with good humour. When fulfilled that role. given the gown he said: “I didn’t

Sir Alexander Gray, as has been mentioned, was Tom’s mentor, and wrote many poems. One of them, entitled Scotland, includes a verse: This is my country The land that begat me These windy spaces are surely my own And those who here toil in the sweat of their faces are flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone.

338 Obituary Notices

Well, Tom Johnston was begat of Tom is survived by Joan and their the Borders and just to look at his five children. In obituaries the open, honest face is to under- details of marriage and family stand the last lines of the verse. seem to be added almost as a postscript. For Tom, Joan, his Tom did not seek honours. His family and his home were central honorary degrees are too numer- to his life. ous to record. It is difficult to catalogue his achievements. Submitted by Sir Charles Fraser

Thomas Lothian Johnston, DL, FRSE. Born 9 March 1927. Elected FRSE, 1979. Died 25 March 2009.

This obituary also appeared in The Scotsman on 23 April 2009

339 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Walter Ledermann 18 March 1911 – 22 May 2009

Walter Ledermann passed away cost of a loaf of white bread. peacefully on 22 May 2009 in Music played a large role in London, less than two years short Ledermann’s life from that time of his 100th birthday. He was on. born into a Jewish family in Berlin In 1928, when he was seventeen on 18 March 1911, the second of years old, Ledermann graduated four children. His father, William from the Leibniz Gymnasium and Ledermann, was a medical doctor entered the University of Berlin to and his mother, Charlotte née study for the Staatsexamen, the Apt, was the daughter of a qualification necessary to enter wealthy metal merchant. He secondary school teaching. At the entered the Köllnisches Gymnasi- University of Berlin, Ledermann um in Berlin in 1917, progressing was taught by many famous to the Leibniz Gymnasium in the mathematicians and physicists same city in 1920. There he learnt including Issai Schur, Erhard classics, studying Latin for nine Schmidt, Richard von Mises, Max years and Greek for six years. The Planck, Erwin Schrödinger, Heinz school also taught French but, as Hopf, Georg Feigl, and others. As was usual at this time, not much one might imagine, given this science. Although very little array of famous names, he found mathematics was taught in it a stimulating experience but the German schools in general at this teacher who inspired him most time, Walter had the advantage was Schur. Ledermann’s main that the Leibniz Gymnasium subjects were mathematics and taught more mathematics than physics, but he also had to study other schools as a mark of respect chemistry to a lower level and to for Gottfried von Leibniz after take an oral examination on whom the school was named. He philosophy. During his university enjoyed studying the classics, studies Ledermann spent one especially Greek with its wonder- semester in Marburg in 1931 but, ful literature, but became other than this, all his courses fascinated by mathematics from were taken in Berlin. his first lesson at the age of eleven. From that time on he Ledermann was nearing the end decided to make mathematics his of his studies for the Staatsexam- career. Also from age 11 he began en when Hitler came to power in learning to play the violin, the cost 1933 and the German govern- of a lesson in these times of ment began passing anti-Jewish hyperinflation being set at the legislation. In order to complete 340 Obituary Notices

the course he had to write a undergraduate courses at St dissertation and be given an oral Andrews and, for the first time in examination. Schur gave him the the five hundred years history of topic for his dissertation On the the University, a person with a various ways of expressing an German state qualification was orthogonal matrix in terms of admitted as a research student. parameters and although Schur, His doctoral studies were super- being a Jew, was forbidden from vised by Herbert Turnbull and he teaching at the University, he was was awarded his PhD in 1936. allowed to conduct the oral Ledermann had studied the examination in November 1933. A problem of finding the canonical second examiner at the oral was form for a pair of real or complex Ludwig Bieberbach who was n x n matrices under simultaneous wearing Nazi uniform. equivalence. He had also worked It was quite clear to Ledermann on the problem of classifying the that he had to leave Germany to stabiliser of the pencil which is a escape the Nazi persecution of the linear combination of the two Jews. He had already made matrices. strenuous efforts to find a way to Following his doctorate, Turnbull leave Germany before his oral, but advised him to speak to Edmund then his elder brother Erich, who Whittaker in Edinburgh about the was studying medicine in Edin- possibility of a position there. burgh, told him about a Whittaker arranged a small scholarship from the International bursary for Ledermann and Student Service in Geneva to study suggested that he attend Alec at the University of St Andrews. He Aitken’s lectures. The most fruitful won the scholarship, funded by work Ledermann undertook the students and citizens of St during this period was as a private Andrews, and was supplied with assistant to Professor Sir Godfrey the necessary papers to allow him Thomson at the University of to travel to Scotland in January Edinburgh. Thomson headed the 1934. Moray House Group in Edinburgh At first it appeared that he might which was undertaking research get caught up in the University of into intelligence testing, and St Andrews’ regulations. The Ledermann was able to use his problem was that the Staatsexam- expert knowledge of matrix theory en was awarded by the Ministry of to put the work of this group Education, not by the University of onto a sound mathematical Berlin, making it a diploma rather footing. As well as matrix theory, than a degree. Fortunately he was involved in using statistical Ledermann was spared the methods and he retained this stupidity of having to take the interest in his later research 341 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

publications. The quality of the at that time to have a German work Ledermann undertook at take such a role. this time is clearly shown from the While in St Andrews, he formed a fact that Edinburgh awarded him close friendship with Finlay a DSc for it in 1940. While in Freundlich, head of the St An- Edinburgh, Ledermann also drews Observatory, who worked with Max Born. He was introduced him to Ruth Stefanie able to use his mathematical skill (Rushi) Stadler, whom he married in matrix theory to resolve a in 1946. Rushi was a Jungian dispute in Born’s favour between psychoanalyst who shared Born and the physicists C. V. Walter’s love of music, and the Raman and N. S. Nagendra Nath. newly married couple decided to The dispute concerned the move to a bigger city so that she foundations of lattice dynamics, in might be able to pursue her particular, the thermal theory of X- career. Ledermann accepted a ray scattering. This result is lectureship at the University of contained in his 1943 paper Manchester in 1946 and spent Density of frequencies in lattice sixteen stimulating and fruitful dynamics written with Max Born. years in Manchester. Particularly of Ledermann took a six-month note is the fact that he was break from his work in Edinburgh secretary to the first British in 1937 when appointed as a Mathematical Colloquium which temporary lecturer at the Mathe- he organised in Manchester in matics Department in Dundee, September 1949, at the request of and in 1938 he returned to St William Hodge, Henry Whitehead Andrews where he remained until and Max Newman. In organising 1946. During this time he became this conference, he relied heavily a British citizen (1940) and also on his experience of helping to undertook some war work. Soon run the Edinburgh Mathematical after beginning his teaching Society Colloquium held in St career in St Andrews he was struck Andrews in the summer of 1934. by the lack of good-quality, cheap, At Manchester, Ledermann pocket-sized mathematics text- repeated the success of his books which had been common suggested Oliver & Boyd Series in Germany. His suggestion to with the Routledge & Kegan Paul Dan Rutherford for a series of student series Library of Mathe- such texts was taken up, and the matics which was again a series of Oliver & Boyd series of mathemati- small cheap texts, but primarily cal texts was born. Despite being aimed at students for whom the one to come up with the idea, mathematics was a subsidiary Ledermann could not become an subject. Sensitivity over German Editor since it was felt impossible names was no longer an issue, so

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Ledermann became the Editor for distaste for “abstraction” for its the series which ran to around own sake. This is evident, even in twenty volumes. his work in what is usually In Manchester he collaborated thought of as one of the most with a number of colleagues, abstract of topics, homology writing two papers with Harry theory. Ledermann’s book Intro- Reuter on Markov processes, one duction to the Theory of Finite with John Cassels and Kurt Groups (1949) became a classic. Mahler on the geometry of The topics covered in the book numbers, two with Bernard look fairly standard today, but one Neumann on the automorphism has to remember that in the group of a finite group, and six 1940s there were few group with Peter Hilton on homological theory texts, and the concept of ringoids and homological mo- standard material for such courses noids. He was promoted to Senior did not exist. The little book (152 Lecturer in 1953 and the Leder- pages) discusses the group mann’s son Jonathan was born in axioms, isomorphisms, cyclic 1954. By 1960, Rushi was making groups, coset decompositions, frequent trips to London as part Lagrange’s theorem, permutation of her work as a psychoanalyst. groups, normal subgroups, Deciding that it would be better quotient groups, homomor- for the family to live in or near phisms, the first and second London, Ledermann began isomorphism theorems, and the applying for Chairs at London Jordan–Hölder theorem. The Colleges; he was not successful simplicity of the alternating ,but the newly-established groups is proved and the Sylow University of Sussex presented an theorems, p-groups and finitely interesting opportunity. In 1962 generated abelian groups are he accepted a Readership at discussed. Ledermann succeeds Sussex and, three years later, he admirably in meeting his own was promoted to Professor. He aims in that he “never hesitated retired in 1978 and was made to sacrifice completeness for Emeritus Professor. breadth or to reject more modern methods when [he] considered As indicated earlier, Ledermann alternative presentations to be published on Markov processes, more intelligible.” homology theory, group theory, and number theory but, despite Other books which Ledermann the different areas in which he has written for undergraduates worked, there are common include Complex numbers (1960), threads. As a result of Schur’s Integral calculus (1964), Multiple teaching he developed a liking for integrals (1966), Introduction to “concrete” mathematics and a group theory (1973), and Intro- 343 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

duction to group characters Southampton, Birmingham, (1977). This last volume, which Wales, the Open University and still shows Schur’s influence, the National University of Ireland. strikes a good balance between For nearly twenty years after his the abstract approach to represen- retirement, Ledermann continued tation theory emphasising to live at Hove near the University modules, and the concrete of Sussex. For many of these years approach built around matrices. It he continued to teach at Sussex, is an outstanding text from which giving both tutorials and semi- to teach the topic. Among the nars. He continued to publish editorial work undertaken by research articles on his favourite Ledermann was his editorship of topic of matrix theory, for example the Journal of the London A note on skew-symmetric Mathematical Society (1968–71) determinants (1993), but he also and of the Bulletin of the London wrote several fascinating historical Mathematical Society (1974–77). papers on Issai Schur. In 1997 he He served as Vice-President of the and Rushi moved to Highgate in London Mathematical Society North London, to be closer to from 1971 to 1977. He was the their son and his family. One of chief editor of the Handbook of the difficulties with this move was Applicable Mathematics which Rushi Ledermann’s requirement consists of nine volumes, an index that their London home had a volume and a number of guide room for two pianos, as had their books. This project, again very Hove home. Even in his nineties, much in line with Ledermann’s Ledermann continued to publish approach to mathematics, is interesting articles about the life designed for “professional and work of Issai Schur. Rushi adults” who “find themselves died on 15 June 2009, about needing to understand a particu- three weeks after her husband. lar mathematical idea... will then They are survived by their son be able to turn to the appropriate Jonathan. article in the core volume ... and find out just what they want to Recognition of Ledermann’s work know.” Another important included his election to the Royal contribution by Ledermann was Society of Edinburgh in 1944 and his work as an external examiner: an honorary doctorate from the he served terms at Edinburgh, Open University in 1993. Glasgow, Keele, Canterbury, Edmund Robertson

Walter Ledermann PhD(St Andrews), DSc(Edinburgh), HonDUniv (Open University). Born 18 March 1911. Elected FRSE March 1944. Died 22 May 2009.

344 Obituary Notices

Edward McCombie McGirr 15 June1916 – 2 May 2003

Edward McGirr’s vision, breadth of medical research, he applied them knowledge and prodigious energy to thyroid pathophysiology – one enabled him to play a crucial role of the first in Scotland to use in the development of academic radiotracers medically. His delinea- medicine and the National Health tion of the enzyme defects leading Service in the 1960s and 1970s. to dyshormonogenetic goitres Educated at Hamilton Academy was a classic piece of work, still and the University of Glasgow, he quoted in textbooks 30 years later, had house jobs at the Royal and and led to the award of MD with Western infirmaries in Glasgow honours and Glasgow University’s before entering the RAMC in Bellahouston Medal. 1941 and serving in India, Burma, In 1961, McGirr was appointed to Siam and Indo-China. the Muirhead Chair of Medicine His war experience was very and over the next 15 years built influential in his development. In the department into one of the particular, it made him suspicious best in the UK for clinical research. of parochialism. He later said: “I He did this by recruiting bright think that it is important to realise young academics, providing them that many people have different with opportunities, and encourag- ways of looking at things, differ- ing them to establish their ent attitudes, different independence. His success is philosophies. I believe that my indicated by the fact that more years spent with the RAMC made than 25 members of his depart- me personally more tolerant.” ment were appointed to chairs in the UK and beyond. He had high He was demobilised in 1947 with standards and expected staff to the honorary rank of major and live up to them. However, he ran returned to the department of his department calmly and with a medicine at Glasgow Royal quiet sense of humour. The Infirmary, which was being characteristic twinkle in his eye transformed from a teaching was never far away. department into one active in clinical research. McGirr was an In 1974 he was appointed Dean important component in that of the Faculty of Medicine, a post transformation. Having had the he held until he retired in 1981. In far-sightedness to realise the this post, he was influential in potential of radioisotopes in many ways, notably in building the research capacity of the

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medical school and in establishing well Parish Church’s Restoration an undergraduate nursing course. Appeal, reflecting his love of that His abilities were recognised far church and the spiritual comfort it beyond the University of Glasgow. gave him. He also wrote and In 1970 he was elected president lectured on medical history and of the Royal College of Physicians philosophy. and Surgeons of Glasgow, one of His many contributions to the the youngest to hold the post, university and to medicine were and he played a key role in recognised by a host of awards introducing a common MRCP including a CBE (1978), Honorary examination and the Joint DSc (1994), Fellowship of the Committee on Medical Education. Royal Society of Edinburgh, He served on, and often chaired, Fellowships of various royal national bodies on health policy colleges and the post of Dean of and standards. These included the Faculties at Glasgow (1992-94). Scottish Council for Postgraduate McGirr’s professional life was Medical and Dental Education, the underpinned by the support of his medical sub-committee of the wife, Di, whom he married in Universities’ Grants Committee, 1949. They built a loving and the medical committee of the stable home, in which their Committee of Vice Chancellors children, Patricia, Helen, David and and Principals, the General Diana, flourished. Nursing Council for Scotland, the He was a most accomplished National Radiological Protection physician and academic who had Board and the Intercollegiate a national influence. He was also a Committee on Nuclear Medicine. much loved man, with a wide McGirr remained active in retire- range of friends. ment, helping many voluntary His wife died in 1996 and he is bodies, such as Tenovus-Scotland, survived by his four children and St Andrew’s Ambulance Associa- 11 grandchildren. tion and the Clyde Estuary Amenity Trust. He chaired Both- Submitted by Professor J H McKillop

Professor Edward McCombie McGirr. Born 15 June1916. Elected FRSE 1972. Died 12 May, 2003.

This obituary also appeared in The Scotsman on 27 May 2003

346 Obituary Notices

Donald Bertram McIntyre 15 August 1923 – 1 October 2009

Donald Bertram McIntyre was chemistry and structure of a born at Edinburgh on 15 August granite batholith in California. 1923, the second child and elder They carried out over 1000 XRF son of Rev. Robert Edmond analyses and using 1960’s ‘high- McIntyre, then minister of Orchar- speed computers’, trend surface dhill, Giffnock. His mother was and vector analyses, processed Mary, daughter of Dr Thomas and interpreted their data. Brown Darling and Jessie Walker. McIntyre and his small team The family moved to Edinburgh added computing and more on R.E. McIntyre’s translation to rigorous statistical and sampling Morningside High Church in techniques to their armoury, and 1935. Having started his school- Professor Bernard Leake has told ing in Giffnock, Donald moved in us that Pomona became the Edinburgh to George Watson’s leading laboratory in the world for College. In 1939 he and his the XRF analysis of granitic rocks. brother were evacuated to Dr Robert Campbell, McIntyre’s Speyside where he became Dux of Director of Studies at Edinburgh, Grantown Grammar School in persuaded him to change his 1941. degree course from chemistry to McIntyre entered Edinburgh that of geology and he graduated University to major in chemistry with First-class Honours in 1945. and was sufficiently enthralled The Grant Institute of Geology at (and competent) while an under- that time was a hotbed of ‘graniti- graduate to collaborate with Dr sation’, the much criticised theory Arnold Beevers of that Depart- by which granitic rocks are formed ment to examine the by metamorphism rather than by crystallography of fluor-apatite in the intrusion of molten magma. relation to tooth and bone Under supervision of the shy but structure. Some twenty years later brilliant Professor McIntyre’s interest in X-Ray and egged on by the Professor’s fluorescence was rekindled when exuberant wife, Dr Doris Reynolds, a machine was purchased by McIntyre mapped the Loch Doon Pomona College for the chemical granite in the analyses of granite by Dr A.K. of Scotland and was awarded a Baird, one of his staff. In 1967 the PhD in 1947. Later that summer, Pomona team of Baird, McIntyre with the help of a Cross Research and Welday analysed the geo- Fellowship, he travelled to

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Neuchâtel to work under Profes- McIntyre had other geological sor Wegmann, the leading interests besides granite. Using structural geologist in Switzer- his new Alpine techniques, he land. That year abroad, doubtless mapped fold structures in High- organised by Holmes with a view land rocks in Strathspey and to giving his gifted student a presented the results to another better understanding of the meeting in the Geological Society structural implications of graniti- in 1951. He was able to project sation, gave McIntyre an insight folds seen at the surface to depths into the world of structural of eight miles and received warm geology, Alpine-style, with its plaudits in the ensuing discus- emphasis on fold-axes, stereo- sion. This time his paper was graphic projections and published. In the same year he petrofabrics. McIntyre returned to was awarded the Daniel Pigeon the Grant Institute in 1948 as Fund from the Geological Society Lecturer in Economic Geology for the promotion of original and, as a round peg in a square research. In 1951 he was appoint- hole, relished the opportunity to ed Secretary of Section C learn blowpipe analysis and adapt (Geology) when the British his expertise in stereographic Association for the Advancement projection to the needs of mining of Science held its annual meeting surveyors. In 1949 he presented in Edinburgh. At the end of the the results of his research on the meeting he led a party to the Loch Doon granite to the Geologi- to look at cal Society of London, where he geological structures. There he argued that the apparently met and attracted the attention of intrusive granodiorite and granite Professor Frank Turner of the were transformed country rock. He University of California, who met strong opposition from the invited him to spend the summer petrological establishment, of 1952 at the Geology Depart- including Drs A.G. McGregor, ment at Berkeley. McIntyre Deer and Nockolds. However Dr J. brought with him deformed Phemister was pleased to find a marbles from Strathspey and rising generation of petrologists during that summer discovered at once so enthusiastic and. some of the complexities of the eloquent. Five years later the deformation of quartz and calcite Publications Committee of that crystals in both field and laborato- Society was still requiring changes ry. to the submitted paper but Outside geology, Donald’s zest for McIntyre by this time was heading life was boundless. He became for a new life in California. His President of the Edinburgh Loch Doon work remains unpub- University Mountaineering Club lished. 348 Obituary Notices

and, in 1946, a member of Lord and yet McIntyre was not wrong Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton’s ATC in his detailed analysis of the fold. mountain training team, which Controversy on folds in the included the Everest climber and Highlands of Scotland continued geologist N.E. Odell. He learned to in the American Journal of play the bagpipes, initially in the Geology. Dr Mike Johnson has basement of the Grant Institute of reminded us that McIntyre is now Geology, but was banished to the remembered as a pioneer in the relative isolation of Craigmillar use of structural analysis and Quarry. His year in Neuchâtel petrofabrics in the Highlands of (1947–48) gave him an apprecia- Scotland, built on his Swiss tion of wine which, on his return experience. to Edinburgh, led him to found Donald returned to Scotland in the Oenological Club, the rules of 1957, a visit which culminated in which were so bibulous that the his marriage to Ann Alexander of club did not survive beyond its Edinburgh and Moffat in Decem- inaugural meeting! ber of that year. In 1961 their son, McIntyre quickly became known Ewen, was born, whose happy to academia in the States through nature and special needs, because the networking of Dr Frank Turner. of cerebral palsy, have had a Donald’s personality and scientific profound influence on the family work attracted the attention of and all who know him. Pomona College, a small liberal Pomona is a college with gener- arts institute at Claremont, ous donors, including Frank California where Dr A. O. Wood- Seaver of Hydril and his wife ford, Head of the Department of Blanche. The Seaver Science Geology, was about to retire. So Centre for Geology and Biology McIntyre left his cold but stable was opened in 1959, just five Scotland in 1954 to become years after McIntyre had been associate professor at Pomona appointed. In 1964 a state-of-the- College and succeeded Professor art IBM 360 computer was Woodford in the following year in bought. As Donald said later ‘Mrs warm unstable California sur- Seaver insisted that I must have rounded by earthquakes and one for my own department!’ growing mountains – and a staff Indeed McIntyre drove to the IBM of two. He left Scotland in the centre in Riverside to place the midst of controversy about the order at a cost of $268,000 on structure of Ben Lui, which he the very day that the new compu- claimed was not a recumbent fold ter was publicly announced. He as described by Sir Edward Bailey. already had access to the Physics Ben Lui is now known to be a Department’s Clary DE-60 for use large-scale recumbent syncline;

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in crystallography and geochro- precision in the age-dating of nometry. Shortly afterwards rocks. Surprisingly, Arthur Holmes, McIntyre was appointed first his mentor and internationally Director of the Pomona Computer renowned as the Father of Age Centre. He became adept at using Dating, was not mentioned. the IBM 360 to plot contour maps McIntyre’s contribution to this showing not only elevation, but volume James Hutton and the also population density and Philosophy of Geology was his mineral content. Other applica- first published work on the history tions followed, including the of science. It was an appropriate analysis of poetry. Help with debut for McIntyre, who had computerising finance and other walked the same streets as had business matters was soon Hutton; was a Fellow of this requested by the Registrar’s office. Society of which Hutton was a Indeed, it was claimed that Founding Fellow, and had gradu- McIntyre was so adept at the uses ated from the Geology of the machine that he became Department of the University of more expert than the IBM systems Edinburgh which had counted engineer assigned to Pomona. among its professors Sir Archibald McIntyre’s early and enthusiastic Geikie, who revived Hutton’s right exposure to the world of comput- to be regarded as the Founder of ing brought him into contact with Modern Geology. In this paper gifted mathematicians. Kenneth McIntyre brought to the notice of Iverson, who developed APL (A a North American readership the Programming Language) became dispute over Hutton’s possible a close friend. McIntyre learned debt to the writings of G H APL and its derivative language J Toulmin or, as appears more and in 1994 received the Kenneth probable, the reverse, which had E Iverson award for his outstand- been revived or perhaps initiated ing contribution to the by S I Tomkeieff. Tomkeieff’s work development and application of had remained unnoticed until the APL. publication of McIntyre’s paper, in The 75th anniversary of the which he gladly acknowledged his foundation of the Geological debt to Tomkeieff. In 1970, Society of America gave McIntyre McIntyre received a Guggenheim the opportunity to show his Fellowship for a sabbatical year in diverse talents at the conference Edinburgh to research The Rise of and in the subsequent celebratory Scottish Geology, an ambitious book (1963), firstly as a historian task which occupied his thoughts of geology, with Hutton at the for the rest of his life. centre and secondly as a self- In his address at the Opening taught statistician investigating Convocation of the Centennial

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Year of Pomona College in 1987, whereabouts was not known and McIntyre invited his audience to substitute illustrations had to be set out on a “Critical Inquiry” in made for Geikie’s edition. As we which “We are to take nothing for have seen, McIntyre was interest- granted. On the contrary, we will ed in the genesis of Hutton’s ideas use our intellectual microscopes and as part of his research he to scrutinize all statements and studied the background and conclusions…” Such a historical interests of Hutton’s friends. approach had long been applied Searches in the Scottish Record in Scottish law and became the Office revealed several small metaphysical basis of Scottish diaries in which Clerk of Eldin science in the Enlightenment. wrote details of his travels in Donald McIntyre was not merely a Galloway with Hutton and of his scholar of that Enlightenment but geological observations. By a product and embodiment of it. happenstance, while McIntyre was James Hutton’s Edinburgh: The so engaged, a folio of drawings Historical, Social, and Political was found at Penicuik House Background the subject of which Sir John Clerk brought to McIntyre’s address to the Hutton The Royal Scottish Museum where bicentennial meeting organised they were recognised as “The Lost by this Society was a tour de force Drawings” of Clerk of Eldin and in this approach. This extraordi- those of Arran by his son Lord nary mélange of dates and Eldin. This led to their publication relationships proved to be a in 1978, together with an explan- revelation to many unfamiliar with atory book of which McIntyre was Scottish history. a co-author. He was also co- McIntyre’s research on Hutton and author with A McKirdy of James Clerk of Eldin as field geologists Hutton, The Founder of Modern will probably be recognised as his Geology, an excellent popular most important historical contri- account of Hutton published in bution. When the text of the third 1997. volume of Hutton’s Theory of the McIntyre’s last published work, in Earth with Proofs and Illustrations, 2008, The Royal Society of edited by Sir Archibald Geikie, was Edinburgh, James Hutton, the published in 1899, it revealed Clerks of Penicuik and the Igneous much about the excursions which Origin of Granite shows that his Hutton had undertaken with his interest in Hutton and his contem- friends in search of proofs of his poraries remained as lively as ever. theory in the field. In particular, it The gem contained in this paper is was known that many of these McIntyre’s recognition and proof geological proofs had been drawn that certain boulders collected by by John Clerk of Eldin, but their

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Hutton to illustrate the relation- In 1989 McIntyre retired from ship of the Athol granite with the Pomona and, with his family, schistus into which it was intrud- settled in Perthshire. Donald ed and of subsequent vein immediately campaigned against intrusions were, as Hutton wrote what he regarded as the desecra- in the third volume of the Treatise, tion of the Kinfauns churchyard from Glen Tarf. Clerk of Eldin had and later against the quarrying of mistakenly captioned his own Dunsinane Hill. His enthusiasm for drawings as being from Glen Tilt, the worth of the environment a neighbouring locality from soon led to his appointment as which other illustrative boulders Chairman of Perth Civic Trust. He had been collected. was a member of the Piobaireachd McIntyre was a brilliant speaker Society and his understanding of and inspirational teacher, perhaps the great music led him to play it happier speaking than writing. not only on his pipes but also to This exceptional talent was write the music notation into a recognised in 1985 by his election computer programme which is from some 5,000 eligible profes- used as a teaching tool at the sors as California’s Professor of College of Piping in Glasgow. the Year. In the same year he was Professor Donald McIntyre, a pipe awarded the Medal of the tune played at the Professor’s Geological Society of China, memorial service, was composed following a lecture visit to Beijing in his honour by his teacher and and Nanjing on the use of friend Norrie Sinclair. Donald computer geology. McIntyre had bravely fought Parkinson’s disease but died on 21st October 2009. Gordon Y Craig Charles D Waterston

Donald Bertram McIntyre. BSc, PhD, DSc(Edinburgh), HonDSc(Pomona), FGSAm, FAmAAS, FCalAcadSci, FEdGS, MGA(London). Born 15 August 1923, Elected FRSE 1953, Died 21 October 2009.

352 Obituary Notices

Robert William Milne 13 July 1956–5 June 2005

Dr Rob Milne died on Mt. Everest on 5th June 2005 of a sudden heart attack. Dr Milne was at 8450m en route to the summit of Everest which would have been the seventh of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents that Dr Milne had climbed. Before setting off on his Everest expedition, Dr Milne invited the Society's Fellowship to propose research work he could undertake while acclimatising at Base Camp and agreed enthusiastically to the studies he was asked to perform. Just prior to his departure for Everest, Dr Milne accepted the Society's invitation to be a Mentor to Enterprise Fellows, a role in which he would doubtless have offered much wisdom and encouragement, imparted with great warmth and humanity. The obituary below, first appeared in The Independent on 9 June 2005. Reproduced by permission of The Independent Robert William Milne, AI scientist: Colorado, he was educated at MIT born Libby, Montana 12 July (the Massachusetts Institute of 1956; Assistant Professor of Technology), receiving a BSc in Electrical Engineering, US Air Force Electrical Engineering and Com- Institute of Technology 1982-85; puter Science in 1978. He then chief scientist, US Army Artificial moved to Edinburgh, where he Intelligence Centre 1985-86; met and married his wife, Valerie, managing director, Intelligent in 1981. Following the award of a Applications, 1986-2005; FRSE PhD in Artificial Intelligence from 2003; married (one son, one Edinburgh University in 1983, he daughter); died Mt Everest 5 June began to seek increasingly 2005. innovative applications of AI in the real world, becoming in 1985 Rob Milne was a key figure in Chief AI Scientist for the Penta- pioneering artificial intelligence gon. applications. He died on Sunday while climbing Mount Everest. His Returning to Scotland in 1986, he objective had been to climb the founded Intelligent Applications highest peak on each continent, Ltd in Livingston, West Lothian, and Everest was the last of the one of the first UK companies to eight. market expert systems technology. Under his astute direction, the He was born in Libby, Montana, in company became an industry 1956 and later held dual US and leader in developing intelligent UK citizenship. Brought up in

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software solutions; a fact recog- recently, he led the successful bid nised by many awards, including to bring the world's major AI the Queen's Award for Technolo- conference, the International Joint gy. Conference in Artificial Intelli- Milne was a leader in the informa- gence, to Scotland in 2005, only tion technology field in Scotland, the second time that the meeting having for a time been Director of has been held in the UK (the last ScotlandIS, the industry body for was in 1971). In recognition of his IT and software companies in research work and leadership, Scotland. He was a mentor to a Milne was elected to Fellowship of number of start-up companies the Royal Society of Edinburgh in and guided other entrepreneurs 2003. in their efforts to establish Rob Milne was already a keen successful businesses. mountaineer when he arrived in Despite these demands on his Scotland to begin his PhD studies. time, he also engaged enthusiasti- Indeed, in his first meeting with cally with academia and the wider his prospective supervisor he AI and software engineering demonstrated how to climb a communities. He was one of those vertical brick wall; the supervisor rare individuals able to maintain a declined to try. As Munroist link between academic and number 1860, he "bagged" his industry work. Through a variety final Munro in 1997; he went on of visiting and honorary posts, to become a senior figure in the including a visiting professorship Scottish Mountaineering Club in the Artificial Intelligence and the author of a book on the Applications Institute at Edin- Scottish Corbett hills (The Cor- burgh University, he assisted betts and Other Scottish Hills, universities in maintaining their 2002). relevance to industry and still Milne's life was characterised by found time to publish the results setting very ambitious goals and of his own work in traditional single-mindedly pursuing them academic journals. until he succeeded. His promi- He chaired many of the major nence in AI and software conferences in AI fields and engineering and the achievements played a leading role in European and accolades that followed are AI, in 2000 becoming the Presi- testament to his vision and dent of the European tenacity. He led, inspired and Coordinating Committee for befriended many of the people he Artificial Intelligence. Most met.

Robert William Milne, BSc, PhD, MBCS, CEng, EUR ING, FECCAI. Born 13 July 1956. Elected FRSE 2003. Died 5 June 2005. 354 Obituary Notices

Karl Howard Overton 12 August 1925 – 22 July 2009

Karl Overton came to the UK from ed to Frome in Somerset in Austria in 1939, just before the September 1939. He was billeted outbreak of the Second World with an English family, who took War, as one of the 10,000 Jewish the greatest possible interest in child refugees on the Kindertrans- his welfare. He always said he ports, thus avoiding almost would not have had the opportu- certain death at the hands of the nities in Vienna as a Jew that he Nazis. He lived a long and full life had in England. His landlady, as a scientist, a classical musician Lillian Maggs, whom he regarded and a lover of the arts, the natural as his foster mother, made sure he world, good food, wine and continued his violin lessons and conversation. taught him English with an accent He was born Karl Heinz Ober- that was imperceptibly traceable weger in Vienna, the younger to his continental roots. He did child of Berta and Joseph Ober- well at school and entered the weger. Ashkenazy Jews, the family University of London in 1944, lived on Flossgasse in the Jewish where he first graduated in (second) district of Vienna. He pharmacy and subsequently, remembered the build-up to the following a brief period in the Anschluss of Austria by Germany pharmaceutical industry, in in 1938, the anti-Semitic bullying chemistry. He went to Birkbeck on the way home from school and College to work for a PhD under his mother and sister being made the direction of Professor Sir to scrub the streets by the Nazis. Derek Barton, the Nobel Laureate. Fortunately his mother realised His research topic was the consti- the approaching danger and tution and stereochemistry of applied for him, aged 13, to travel a-onocerin, an unusual triterpe- to England on one of the Kinder- noid. This period with Sir Derek transports in January, 1939. His kindled his life-long interest in the mother and sister followed shortly chemistry of natural products and afterwards and went into service. in conformational analysis. His father stayed in Vienna, In 1955 Karl was appointed to a somehow avoiding deportation, Lectureship in Chemistry at the and died there peacefully in 1942. University of Glasgow, where he Karl was enrolled in Cooper’s remained for all of his profession- Company School in London’s East al life, eventually retiring as End and was immediately evacuat- Professor Emeritus. He taught

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generations of chemistry and seeds) by Barton, Arigoni, Jeger medical students and inspired a and their colleagues in 1960. The succession of gifted PhD students, interest started by chance when many of whom went on to have Karl was asked by a colleague distinguished careers themselves from Edinburgh to look at the in academia or the pharmaceutical extract of the seeds of Swietenia industry. macrophylla (mahogany tree). This Karl’s early research was con- work led to the discovery of the cerned with the structure unusual bicyclononanolide system elucidation of complex natural of compounds such as swietenine, products from plants and fungi. In swietenolide and mexicanolide, the era before the general and to the isolation from other introduction of NMR methods, species of the Meliaceae family of structure elucidation involved a compounds, which lent strong combination of chemical transfor- support to the biogenetic path- mations, IR and UV spectroscopy way proposed for the formation and microanalysis. Practical skills of these compounds. Fifty years were very important, especially the later, many new tetranortriterpe- ability to manipulate, purify and noids are still being published in crystallise small amounts of the scientific literature. material. Karl was a highly-skilled In the late 1960s, as structure practical chemist and trained his elucidation became (sometimes) students well in these areas. He less challenging as a result of published many interesting advances in NMR methods and X- structures, including the (then) ray crystallography, Karl switched unusual bicyclofarnesol sesquiter- his interests to synthetic, biosyn- penoid drimenol from Chilean thetic and mechanistic aspects of Drymis winteri, the rearranged natural products. With the help of diterpene rimuene, related the late Dr Dennis Butcher of the diterpenoids from Erythroxylon Botany Department, he set up a monogynum and the unusual cis- plant tissue culture unit. One of clerodane diterpenoids columbin the first successful cultures was and palmarin from Colombo root. from Andrographis paniculata, a However, the major contribution plant that normally produces the of the Overton group in this diterpenoid andrographolide. period was in the area of the Interestingly, this culture did not tetranortriterpenoids (limonoids), produce any diterpenoids, but complex metabolites of the instead yielded several bisabolane Meliaceae and Rutaceae families, sesquiterpenoids, the paniculides. an area which flourished after the The culture and the related cell- historic elucidation of the struc- free systems proved to be very ture of limonin (from grapefruit versatile and were used to study 356 Obituary Notices

the biosynthesis of a-bisabolene He was particularly intrigued by and the paniculides, the mecha- the stereochemical outcome of nism of terminal double bond certain reactions related to isomerisation in prenyl alcohols enzyme processes, and set up and pyrophosphates and the laboratory models to probe the manner of their cyclisation, and SE2’ and SN2’ reactions. they were particularly useful in a This work led to his appointment study of the role of the amino acid as the Royal Society of Chemistry leucine in terpenoid biosynthesis. Tilden Lecturer and Medallist in Using specifically labelled 1977–78 and formed the topic of leucines, Karl and his colleagues his Tilden lecture. He was awarded clearly demonstrated that leucine the degree of DSc by the Universi- was not incorporated intact into ty of London in 1968, appointed the sesquiterpenes, but was first to a Chair of Organic Chemistry at degraded to acetyl-CoA. the University of Glasgow in 1973 In association with his dear friend, and elected to Fellowship of the Dr Siegfried Huneck, of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in Institute of Plant Biochemistry, 1979. Karl published over 130 Halle, Germany, Karl elucidated scientific papers and reviews and the structure of the unusual was the senior reporter of the polypropionate metabolite Chemical Society Specialist portentol, from the lichen Rocella Periodical Report on Terpenoids portentosa. Subsequently, he and Steroids from its inception in unravelled the biosynthesis of 1971 until 1977. portentol using cells of Rocella Throughout his life, Karl contin- fuciformis. Karl’s support and ued to develop his passion for friendship were greatly appreciat- music. He met his first wife, Jenny ed by Dr Huneck, especially during Townrow, at music camp and they the period of the DDR. built their home in Glasgow, Alongside his biosynthetic raising two daughters and two studies, Karl pursued an interest sons. He had a deep and extensive in synthesis, initially in the knowledge of the classical biomimetic synthesis of polycyclic chamber music repertoire, centred terpenoids such as rosanes and on string quartets, and took every pimaranes, and the fungal opportunity to play either violin or metabolite rosenonolactone. viola in quartets and amateur Later, he turned his attention to orchestras. For many years he was adamantane chemistry and to the principal viola of the Glasgow enantioselective synthesis of Chamber Orchestra under Sam naturally-occurring a-amino acids Bohr. He was a prime mover in the by nitrone cycloaddition reactions. Milngavie Music Club for more

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than twenty years and developed Kindertransportees that was a talent for spotting and hiring formed in Glasgow, and visited the best young chamber musi- Israel with them, where he met cians before they became too hitherto unknown relatives from expensive. Many now-famous Vienna. He travelled with Karin to musicians passed through the revisit Vienna and to search out Overton home early in their his father’s village near Zyleschiki careers. in Western Ukraine. Karl emerged from the combined Warm and generous, Karl thrived challenges of retirement and on making contact with others marriage breakdown with re- and enjoyed many friendships newed direction and engagement. throughout his life. Although not He worked as a volunteer with the formally religious, he explored Scottish Centre for Infection and reality and its meanings through- Environmental Health, editing an out his life, learning equally from invaluable weekly report which science and spirituality. It was his was circulated to local, national wish to be buried near his mother and international organisations in the Jewish cemetery in Glas- responsible for the treatment and gow, a wish that was fulfilled by prevention of HIV infection. It was the Glasgow Jewish community. at an HIV/AIDS conference in Karl is survived by his wife Karin, Florence that he met his second the four children of his first wife, immunologist Karin Froebel. marriage – Ann, Dennis, John and They set up home in Edinburgh in Ruth – and by five grandchildren. 1998. Karl continued to embark On a personal note, I had the on new interests, including special privilege and pleasure of working as a classroom assistant being Karl’s first PhD student and I in the local primary school, benefited greatly from his wise studying the arts and humanities counsel and friendship through- with the Open University and out my career. I shall always taking violin lessons with Lucy remember him with gratitude and Cown from the International Cello great affection. Centre at Edrum, still striving to master the elusive Viennese style I am grateful to Karl’s wife Karin of bowing. and daughter Ann for much of the information in this obituary. In the later years of his life, Karl re- embraced his continental Jewish Joe Connolly origins. He joined the group of

Karl Howard Overton, PhD, CChem, FRSC. Born 12 August 1925; Elected FRSE 1979; Died 22 July 2009.

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Sir Rutherford Ness Robertson 29 September 1913 – 5 March 2001

Sir Rutherford Ness (Bob) Robert- trained and mentored a genera- son was one of Australia’s most tion of plant scientists who were influential, best loved and responsible for much of Austral- respected scientists in the second ia’s pre-eminence in this field half of the last century. Descended today. After the war, Bob quickly from a dynasty of ministers of reestablished links with leading religion, Bob’s tolerance, unself- US and British scientists, and his ishness, and unswerving sense of personal research began to attract duty is legendary. His wisdom and international attention. Bob’s generosity touched thousands of influence is perhaps first evident Australians now eminent in all in an Annual Reviews chapter walks of life. He served the ANU as (1952). His renowned, pragmatic Master of University House (1969– style is most evident 40 years later 1972), as the second Director of in a prefatory chapter for the same the Research School of Biological series that concludes with ac- Sciences, retiring in 1978, and as knowledgement to Mary “who Pro-Chancellor from 1984 to not only played a major role in 1986. shaping my life, but helped me Born in Melbourne, schooled write about it”. there and in Christchurch, New His research was recognised in the Zealand, Bob took an Honours first election of Fellows to the degree in botany at the University Australian Academy of Science of Sydney that earned him an (1954), as a Fellow of the Royal 1851 Exhibition Scholarship and Society (1961) and as a Foreign entry to St. John’s College Cam- Associate of the US National bridge as a PhD student in 1936. Academy of Science (1962). Bob There, in 1937, he married Mary was among the first to appreciate Rogerson, a Sydney botany/ the nexus between respiration geology major, and is survived by and ion-transport across mem- Mary, their son Rob and family. branes, presaged by Lundegårdh Returning to teach at Sydney in the 1940s. University in 1939, Bob re- In Sydney, Adelaide and Cam- searched grain and food-storage bridge, Robertson and his problems throughout the war and colleagues provided stoichiomet- later joined CSIRO Division of ric and structural evidence that Food Preservation and Transport. led, via Philosophical Reviews, to There he built a joint CSIRO– his monograph Protons, Electrons, University research unit that

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Phosphorylation and Active Family connections in the Transport (1968). Binalong/Yass area led Bob and Experiments with plant roots, Mary to a very active retirement carrot disks, and later with plant adjacent to the national capital. chloroplasts and mitochondria, They retained close links with the provided the clean experimental Academy and the University. proofs for the chemiosmotic Bob was an active participant in hypothesis, so eloquently es- the international Robertson poused by Mitchell (Nobel Prize Symposia sponsored by the 1978). With typical generosity Bob Research School of Biological detailed his long correspondence Sciences. These often seemed to with Mitchell in a chapter for the coincide with his birthday and the History of Biochemistry (1995). AFL grand final, events that Again and again others have presented scheduling difficulties watched askance as Antipodean and (opportunities) for the and Eastern Hemisphere achieve- organisers. Inevitably, he conveyed ments have been discounted by the excitement of his distin- the distance from Stockholm. guished research career in these An outstanding administrator and meetings and always challenged executive who admitted that he participants with “original was not always “temperamentally thoughts that stretched their suited to such activities”, Bob thinking abilities”. maintained active research groups In 1998–2000 Bob Robertson was while serving on the Executive of at it again, as the prime mover for CSIRO (1958), after he became another adventure in blue skies Professor of Botany in the Univer- research. sity of Adelaide (1962), and at the His “Dare to Dream” manifesto ANU. brought 25 researchers to RSBS Along the way he established the on March 19 to discuss their Australian Research Grants progress in the biomimetics of Scheme at the invitation of John photo synthesis. Gorton, and served as President of Travelling to Sydney with Bob for a the Australian Academy of previous meeting of the group, Sciences, for which he received a through the valley mists of Yass knighthood. He played major and Gunning, into the most roles in the adoption of the “Web incredibly beautiful sunrise of Life” school biology program, imaginable, has left his agenda the establishment of ABC Radio indelible. science reporting and the opening of scientific and cultural exchang- Professor Barry Osmond es with the People’s Republic of Director ANU Research School China. of Biological Sciences, 1991–98 360 Obituary Notices

Sir Rutherford Ness Robertson. Born 29 September 1913. Elected FRSE 1983. Died 5 March 2001.

First published in the Australian National University Reporter, 30 March 2001 Reproduced by permission of the Australian National University http://oa.anu.edu.au/uploads/obituaries/1392/ sir_rutherford_ness_obit_2001.pdf

Obituaries Australia ’Robertson, Sir Rutherford Ness (1913–2001)’, Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/robertson-sir-rutherford-ness-1392/text1391 accessed 7 November 2012.

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David John Tedford 12 July 1931 – 11 November 2004

David Tedford will be best remem- gy, now the University of Strath- bered for his many contributions clyde, to study for a BSc in to Scotland and the University of electrical engineering and gained Strathclyde. However, two things a First-class Honours degree in stand out most vividly. Firstly, he 1952, together with various was a very good natured and prizes. In the non-teaching genuine person who was gener- periods, David completed an 18- ous, some would say month practical training with the over-generous, with his time to General Electric Company in others. Secondly, he was a Birmingham. He then went on to distinguished visionary academic do a PhD and his thesis was who recognised at a very early concerned with time lag in stage that for a university to be uniform field spark gaps. The truly successful it had to have insight gained led to the tech- strong collaborative relationships nique forming a major aspect of nationally and internationally. high voltage research. These features in turn guided his After gaining the higher degree in actions throughout his life. 1955, David joined a research David was born in 1931 in team in Ferranti Limited, Edin- Coatbridge and lived most of his burgh, developing an analogue life there. He went to Coatbridge computer for use in an aircraft High School and showed his gifts guidance system. After two years, in numerous ways. Excelling in his David returned to the University of academic studies, he was dux of Strathclyde as a lecturer in the the school, with a special aptitude Electrical Engineering Department for mathematics and was advised and became the foundation that he should study engineering. Professor of Electrical Engineering David was also a talented athlete (High Voltage) in 1972. Two years in several sports, reaching high later he became the Head of standards in football and tennis. Department and led a number of He inherited a love of music from initiatives which contributed his parents and learned to play substantially to the growth of the piano at a young age. Playing Department into one of the classical pieces was one of his largest and most successful in the methods of relaxation. UK. He was also involved in the establishment, development and In 1948, David went to the Royal management of one of the largest College of Science and Technolo-

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university electrical power research Strathclyde. Some representative groups in the UK – designated as examples include council member the Centre for Electrical Power (1989–92) and then Vice-Presi- Engineering (CEPE). The progress dent (1992–95) of the Royal of this Centre demonstrated in Society of Edinburgh, where he reality his belief in the value of served the learned institution with university and industrial collabora- great enthusiasm and distinction. tion. He was the first holder of the post As his career developed, David of Chief Scientific Advisor to the emerged as a university statesman Secretary of State for Scotland and took on many central univer- (1994–97) addressing policy and sity activities. He subsequently long term issues concerning occupied senior academic posi- science, engineering and technol- tions and served as Vice-Principal ogy. He was elected a member of (1984–86) sandwiched between the Council of the Institution of two terms as a Deputy Principal Electrical Engineers (1992–95). He (1982–1991). His effectiveness in became the Chairman of the handling difficult situations was Court of the University of Abertay due to his clear understanding of and laid the foundation for its the objectives, a perfectionist success in higher education. He approach to doing preparatory was invited by the Hong Kong work, a willingness to let the government to be one of five conflicting parties air their cases, overseas members on the Plan- enormous amounts of patience ning Committee of its new and his good humour. In the latter university, the Hong Kong Univer- three years he had special respon- sity of Science and Technology, sibility for International Affairs, and he served on that University’s and in his new role he had the job first council. David was strongly of formulating overseas recruit- committed to the idea that ment strategy, advising on policy Science and Technology must generally and acting as chief contribute to the wellbeing of global ambassador. As a result, he Scotland and he was actively became a true globetrotter and involved in the work of Scottish formulated, negotiated and Science Trust and the creation of signed many successful collabora- the Science Centres. His broad tive agreements in both teaching knowledge and experience on and research with leading univer- educational matters led to him sities, colleges and other overseas being much sought after by many institutions. organisations and his travels took him to Europe, the Middle East, David had extensive activities Africa, Asia, China and the USA. outside of the University of

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Wherever he went he was remem- days, but it provided a shining star bered as an academic ambassador in a darkened sky. for both the University of Strath- David could not have fulfilled all clyde and the City of Glasgow. his multitude of commitments David received a number of without the support of his wife, awards and these included the Mamie, who went to the same Order of the British Empire (OBE), school but got to know David the Institution of Electrical later. Mamie’s role in ‘Team Engineers’ Achievement Medal Tedford’ in their 48 years together and Honorary DScs from Robert ranged from caring for their Gordon and Abertay Universities. daughter and three sons, cooking It was the winning of the coveted meals for the visitors and students decoration of the Order of Merit, that David regularly took to their Poland that gave him most home, and acting as a valuable pleasure. Ever since the collabora- source of social information and tive relation between the Technical provider of latest gossip. University of Lødz and Strathclyde For those who knew David in University was signed in the late various capacities they will miss 1960s, David took on the respon- his straight forward manner, high sibility to ensure that the link was principle, honesty, good nature live and beneficial to both parties. and wisdom. A task that was extremely de- manding especially in the early Chengi Kuo

David John Tedford OBE, OM (Poland). BSc, PhD(Glasgow), ScD(Lødz), HonDTech(Abertay), HonDSc(Robert Gordon), DUniv, FUniv(Strathclyde). ARCST, CEng, FIEE, FInstP, SMIEEE, FRSA. Born 12 July 1931. Elected FRSE 1978. Died 11 November 2004.

364 Obituary Notices

Ewart Kendall Walton 8 November 1924 – 23 June 2009

Ken Walton, internationally- In 1968 he was appointed to the renown expert on turbidite Chair of Geology at St. Andrews sediments and Emeritus Professor University, following the untimely of Geology at the University of St death of Charles Davidson, and in Andrews died on June 23, 2009 1969 he was elected to a Fellow- aged 84. Most of his professional ship of the Royal Society of career was spent as Professor of Edinburgh. Geology at St Andrews University Ken made several very important (1968–1988) where he also served contributions to geological as Master of the United College research. First, his early researches (1972–1976). A hallmark of Ken’s helped to clarify and quantify the life was a common humanity that transportation and deposition clearly stemmed from his working processes associated with turbidi- class roots in a northern mining ty currents – turbulent, community. He was responsive fast-moving suspensions capable when academic institutions the of conveying vast volumes of world over were being challenged sediment into ocean deeps. His in the late 1960s and early ‘70s by work centred on the interpreta- newly-confident student commu- tion of structures within turbidites nities, and contributed (the sediments and rock sequen- significantly to modernising St ces formed by such mechanisms), Andrews, then a very traditional and it is also noteworthy for the university uneasy with departures innovative and ingenious experi- from the status quo. mental techniques that he Born in 1924 in Ashington, pioneered. This work was done in Northumberland, one of a family collaboration with his colleague of four, he attended Bedlington Gordon Craig, along with his first Grammar School before entering research student Gilbert Kelling the University of Durham’s King’s OBE and an eminent Polish College at Newcastle-on-Tyne. He collaborator, Stanislaw Dzulinski. graduated in 1949 and gained a The collaboration with Dzulinski PhD in 1952. He started his and his colleagues in the Jagiello- academic career as an Assistant in nian University of Krakow (despite the Geology Department of the difficulties of the ‘cold war’ Glasgow University, progressing period) was particularly fruitful, to a Lectureship and then Reader- and Ken was elected to Foreign ship in the Department of Membership of the Polish Acade- Geology at Edinburgh University. my of Arts and Sciences. His books

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and many of his numerous papers become Master of the United are still consulted today and cited College to help modernise and by contemporary workers in this strengthen the university, follow- field of sedimentology. Secondly, ing the separation a few years his studies (with Gordon Craig earlier of Queen’s College Dundee and others) of ancient turbidite into an independent university in rocks across much of southern that city. Steven Watson and Ken Scotland led to a wholesale re- were fellow Geordies and got on appraisal of the stratigraphy and well, and Ken was entrusted with structure of the Southern Up- one of the most important lands, and his publications, portfolios; with responsibility for including chapters in Gordon all academic and student matters. Craig’s , laid He could not have anticipated the the foundations for modern rough ride he would receive as accretionary prism and terrane Master. The student riots in France interpretations of this key piece of in 1968 finally manifested the Caledonian orogen jigsaw. themselves somewhat less Another important part of Ken turbulently in St Andrews in 1973. Walton’s geoscientific oeuvre was He had to engage with well- his work, with the late Donald heeled and articulate student Duff and Tony Hallam, on the Trotskyites, a somewhat baffling nature and causes of cyclicity in combination to a working class sedimentary successions, and the lad from a poor mining village. Yet contribution that careful statistical with astuteness, charm and analysis of such cycles can make to patience he won over most of our understanding of deposition- these dissidents. Many issues al processes, especially in ancient were symbolic but some were real, deltaic sequences. In drawing most notably the (then) dispropor- attention to evidence in the rock tionately high failure rates of record for the operation of both Scottish Higher students in the autocyclic (internal) and allocyclic Science Faculty. The University was (external) controls on such cycles, accused by students of catering it can be argued that this work primarily for English A-level foreshadowed the currently entrants at the expense of the popular paradigm of sequence Scots, and the data seemed to stratigraphy. support their case. Ken had At St Andrews University, Ken had inherited this issue and quickly the difficult task of modernising a put in place the changes that rather traditional department of would finally solve it, but not geology. He managed the task without some bruising encounters well and, in 1972, was invited by and much media involvement. Principal Steven Watson to

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After serving as Master, Ken was retired from the University Ken invited to join the Physical married Sue Doyle and became a Sciences Committee of the devoted step-father to Danny, University Grants Committee Barney and Zöe. His final years (UGC). This was an important were spent in his wonderful national role that influenced the cottage overlooking Crail Harbour, funding of every university where his parties and barbeques, physical science department in the usually culminating in a spontane- UK, and the committee visited ous ceilidh, were regular and each department in every universi- eagerly awaited events. Eventually, ty on a regular cycle. The end of after several months of poor his academic career coincided with health, Ken succumbed to the UGC’s Earth Science Review respiratory and coronary prob- that culminated in the closure of lems, although his mind remained several university geology depart- sharp and inquisitive until the ments across the UK. Due at least end. in part to Ken’s political skills and Unsurprisingly for someone from working knowledge of the system, Ashington, the home village of the Geology Department at St legendary footballing brothers Andrews University escaped the Jack and (Sir) Bobby Charlton, Ken worst of the cuts and indeed was was always keen on sport, a the smallest department to survive passion he shared with Margaret. nationally while several larger Even in his 50s, when he was departments were closed. The Master of the United College, it price of survival was the merger was not beneath his dignity to with Geography and Ken opted at knock a few lumps out his student this stage (1987) to retire a few charges on the football park, and years early. He remained active as a he regularly annihilated staff half consulting geologist for a few his age on the squash court. After years, and ran local field excur- retirement he became an active sions for youngsters and member of tennis and badminton enthusiasts for many more years. clubs in Crail, and did much to Ken was a devoted family man. His encourage youth participation in first wife Margaret was an sport. His retirement years were enormous support, especially heavily involved in community when his role as Master demand- work in Crail, serving on numer- ed a major social commitment. ous committees particularly in They had two children, Judith and relation to heritage and youth Richard, who both inherited their activities. In his later years he parents’ love of sport and of convened a local Writers’ Club for whom he was very proud. Sadly friends to meet and discuss each Margaret died in 1982. Before he others’ written works.

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Ken made his mark as an interna- through his community work, tional scientist of distinction, and sporting contributions, social in Edinburgh and St Andrews he events and intellectual soirees. was a much-loved teacher of Most of all, he was a kind and geology. In particular, he was a generous friend who was argua- man of his times who skillfully bly even more interested in people steered his department and the than in rocks, notwithstanding his university through one of the great enthusiasm for the latter most difficult and turbulent and his highly successful career as periods in 20th Century academia. a geologist. He is also fondly remembered in Edryd Stephens Crail, where he made his mark

Ewart Kendall Walton BSc, PhD (Dunelm), ForMem Polish Academy Arts & Sciences. Born 28 November 1924. Elected FRSE 1969. Died 23 June 2009.

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Hamish Christopher Swan Wood 8 May 1926 – 3 July 2009

Hamish Wood, former Professor founder member of the University of Organic Chemistry and Vice- Rover Scout Crew and a leading Principal of the University of piper at jamborees in Scotland Strathclyde died on 3 July 2009 and in Norway. On moving to after a long illness. Hamish hailed Glasgow, Hamish continued to from Hawick where his father, drive the Scout movement ahead Joseph Wood, ran one of the first being one of the founders of the mail-order knitwear firms. He 1st Glasgow Rover Scout Group. inherited his teaching gene from The Scout movement was an his mother, Robina Baptie, who interest that he shared with Jean, was a teacher and headmistress, his wife to be, also from Hawick, and perhaps his inventiveness whom he married in December gene from his great-grandfather, 1951. Both of their children, James Swan, who was reputedly Sheena and Colin, also graduated the inventor of the screw propel- in science from the Unversity of St ler. Despite the restrictions caused Andrews in due course. by the 1939–45 War, Hamish was Hamish’s scientific training was able to develop a great interest in developed during his PhD studies chemistry thanks to the influence in natural product chemistry at St of the Head of Chemistry at Andrews, under the supervision of Hawick High School, Dr Alison Dr John Dewar and Dr H T Open- Cook. She no doubt encouraged shaw. However, the determining Hamish to become an undergrad- time in Hamish’s scientific career uate in chemistry at her alma was his post-doctoral work mater, the University of St An- between 1951 and 1953 at the drews from which he graduated Australian National University, with a First-class Honours degree which was then located in Euston in Chemistry in 1947, receiving Road in London. Hamish worked the Harkness Exhibition and with Adrien Albert, one of the real Purdie Bursary on the way. During creators of modern medicinal his secondary school and student chemistry, expounded in Albert’s years, Hamish played a major role seminal book ‘Selective Toxicity’. in the Scout movement, becoming The field of study to which Adrien an expert piper thereby. During Albert introduced Hamish con- wartime, as a scout, Hamish was a cerned the compounds known as messenger for the Home Guard pteridines, of which folic acid, well and was awarded the Defence known as a breakfast cereal Medal. At University he was a additive, is an example. The study

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of the synthesis of pteridines and compounds in the class; this work their biological properties became was extended into studies of the the centre of Hamish’s scientific biosynthesis of pteridines which research at the University of led to an understanding of the Strathclyde, which he joined as a biosynthesis of riboflavin. Togeth- lecturer in 1954 in its former er, this work led to recognition embodiment, the Royal College of through election as a Fellow of Science and Technology (RCST). the RSE in 1968. This honour was As a lecturer and senior lecturer at a major factor in Hamish’s ap- the RCST, Hamish laid great pointment as the first Personal emphasis on sharing his enthusi- Professor at the University of asm for chemistry with school Strathclyde. The next evolutionary pupils as well as with his degree step in research was to see students. Well documented and whether novel synthetic com- well remembered is Hamish’s pounds could beneficially travelling lecture ‘Throwing Light modulate the biosynthesis of on Chemistry’ which included a pteridines and, following Albert’s number of spectacles, notably the concept of selective toxicity, nylon rope trick and cold light become drugs. This work, part of chemiluminescence, both of which I came to share, created which are now staples of chemis- new classes of compounds, try demonstrations. Hamish notably the so-called blocked maintained a reputation for dihydropterins, which were inspirational teaching throughout intended to have antibacterial his career and was a major applications. In one sense, the influence in the careers of many work was clearly ahead of its time outstanding scientists. These because some of the most included Ronald Cresswell, interesting applications have formerly of Parke-Davis, and Allen proved to be in fields of biology Miller, formerly of the University of that were unknown at the time of Dundee and Wellcome, both of the first synthesis of the com- whom are Fellows of the Royal pounds. Society of Edinburgh (RSE), and The application of academic skills Allan Baxter, a Vice President at in this way was of course very Glaxo SmithKline. much in keeping with the philoso- Hamish’s first independent phy of John Anderson’s University, publications date from the mid the University of Strathclyde. But it 1950s in a series of papers called was not in keeping with a good ‘Pteridine derivatives’ which dealt deal of contemporary conven- with methods of synthesis and tional chemical wisdom. We both chemical reactivity of many became unhappy with what we

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saw as short-sighted thinking and could be more focused and in 1979, we published together a effective. short review article called ‘Should Hamish’s managerial accomplish- Organic Chemists Meddle with ments were widely recognised and Biochemistry?’. This short paper Hamish was appointed by the was one of the first pieces of Secretary of State for Scotland to advocacy for research at the be Chairman of the Governing chemistry–biology interface, a Body of Glasgow Polytechnic, field that has now become one of which later became Glasgow the main growth areas in science. Caledonian University. Hamish The full body of Hamish’s research became the first Chairman of to that time, and its importance, Court of Glasgow Caledonian was recognised by the award of University. All of these contribu- the Royal Society of Chemistry’s tions were recognised by the Prize for Medicinal Chemistry in award of the CBE in 1993. Before 1986. devolution, Hamish also served as Throughout all of this period, a member of the Universities’ Hamish occupied important Funding Council appointed by the positions in University manage- Secretary of State for Education ment, successively as Head of and Science. This was a challeng- Department, Dean of School, ing role too and one in which Deputy Principal, and Vice- Hamish came face to face with Principal from 1984 to 1986. many people from other walks of When Hamish first became a life who did not understand, or in University manager, structures and some cases would not under- procedures of the University were stand, the extent of the traditional and highly centralised, contribution of universities at with initiative and responsibility large to society. Working through resting with only a few. Hamish the RSE, Hamish led a group that was at the heart of the first stages produced a report highlighting of transforming things into the the huge beneficial impact of modern University of Strathclyde scientific research in Scottish through two major aspects of universities in economic and University business, developing business terms as well as in mechanisms of resource allocation international scientific terms. towards the modern position that Formally, Hamish retired in 1991, devolves responsibility and but he continued to maintain a initiative to individual budget great interest in his two Universi- holders, and secondly reducing ties in Glasgow, in their academic the number of University commit- progress and in the commerciali- tees so that decision making sation of discoveries arising from

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his research at Strathclyde. He Finance Committee from 1974 served on the Strathclyde Convo- to1998. It was no surprise that at cation until 2009, representing his funeral service in July 2009, the RSE, the Council of which he the congregation was made up of had also served on from 1992 a substantial section of Scottish to1995. society, including academic When Hamish and his family teaching and scientific colleagues, moved to Glasgow in the early academic management col- 1950s, they settled in Bearsden leagues, members of Killermont with a happy, full, and active Parish Church, representatives of home and family life, strongly Scottish government agencies, engaged with the community. and of the RSE. Hamish was a man Throughout the whole of his life who served others to the fullest in Bearsden, a period close on 55 through his manifold skills and years, and for as long as he was left his mark; this mark can be able, Hamish was a prominent recognised not simply in what he member of the congregation of did himself, but also in what Killermont Parish Church, serving others have been able to build on its Congregational Board and upon from his achievements. Colin Suckling

Hamish Christopher Swan Wood CBE. BSc, PhD(St Andrews), HonDUniv(Strathclyde), HonLLD(Glasgow Caledonian), CChem, FRSC, HonFScotvec, Hon FSQA. Born 8 May 1926. Elected FRSE 1968. Died 3 July 2009.

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Edward Maitland Wright 13 February 1906 – 2 February 2005

Sir Edward’s working life was full schools where she could, for a and long. He supported himself reduction in salary, have her from the age of 14 until he retired young son living with her. At the as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of age of 14 he became independent the University of Aberdeen at the by working as a ‘pupil teacher’ at age of 70. He had been elected to a small preparatory school in the Chair of Mathematics there at Woking. His duties included the early age of 29. While under playing football with the pupils his guidance as Principal, the and teaching them French! He university went through a vigor- was well educated in classics and ous expansion with many new modem languages but, until the buildings and new appointments. age of 14, had not come across He had enormous affection for any mathematics except arithme- Aberdeen, both the city and its tic. He was introduced to algebra ancient university. When he retired and became hooked on mathe- he stayed on in Aberdeen, until at matics from then onward. the age of 90, he left to live with When he was 16 he was working his son in Berkshire. He died as a teacher of French at a school peacefully a few days before his in London, taking evening classes th 99 birthday and is buried in in physics at Woolwich and Oxford. He particularly enjoyed teaching himself mathematics. A the company of his grandchildren, school inspection took place. The Jane, Lucy, Vicky and Edward and inspector reported that Edward was delighted when he became a Wright was far too young for the great-grandfather. post he was occupying. He was He was bom on 13 February 1906 immediately sacked. He then got a in a village just outside Leeds. teaching job at Chard Grammar Initially the family was highly School in Somerset. Since he had prosperous. His father owned a no access to laboratory facilities soap factory making “Wright’s he gave up on experimental Washall Soap”. Unfortunately, physics but re-doubled his efforts when he was three years old, his in teaching himself mathematics. father’s business collapsed. His At that time it was possible to parents separated and he and his take a University of London mother moved south. She was a Degree as an external candidate, skilled musician and music teacher that is, without any requirements who obtained jobs at boarding to attend courses. Working on his

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own in Chard he taught himself treated in Germany but came for a BSc in Mathematics, achiev- home convinced that another war ing First-class Honours. One of the was inevitable. At that time other teachers was a graduate Churchill and his supporters, who from Cambridge who said: “Oh, a urged re-armament, were in a London degree is only equivalent small minority, and decried as to entrance scholarship standard ‘warmongers’. Lord Cherwell for Oxford and Cambridge”. (subsequently scientific advisor to Nettled by this, he investigated Churchill) was a Professor of Oxford and Cambridge and found Physics at Oxford and had rooms only one college in either universi- in Christ Church. Because of their ty which had a scholarship open shared political views on the to someone over the age of 19. dangers of appeasement, Edward This was Jesus College, Oxford, Wright became friendly with both which had one scholarship not Cherwell and R.V. Jones. Arising restricted to age or subject. He from these connections, during competed for the scholarship and the war years he was seconded won it. from his chair in Aberdeen to His period at Oxford was happy work in Scientific Intelligence at and fruitful. He won the Junior MI6 headquarters in London. Mathematics Prize as an under- He greatly enjoyed doing research graduate and the Senior in mathematics and was the Mathematics Prize as a postgradu- author of some 140 papers. Apart ate. He met his future wife Phyllis, from a gap during the war, he a student of English at St Hilda’s published steadily from 1930 and cox of the Oxford women’s until 1981. (For many years his eight, marrying her in 1934. He research was supported by the US became a research student of G.H. Army through a succession of Hardy. He obtained the first ever research contracts.) Junior Research Fellowship In collaboration with G.H. Hardy awarded by Christ Church (at that he wrote An Introduction to the time known, somewhat strangely, Theory of Numbers, which is still as a research lectureship). Joining in demand after over sixty years in the University Air Squadron, he print. After meetings of the learned to fly. London Mathematical Society in At Hardy’s urging, he spent a year Piccadilly, Hardy and he would in Germany at Göttingen. This have dinner together at the was just before Hitler came to Trocadero. It was during one of power and Göttingen was still these dinners that the book was one of the major mathematical first planned. Their method was centres in the world. He was well for each to write different chap-

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ters and then revise and criticise Restituta of the Polish Republic. the work of the other until the He was the longest-serving revisions converged to an agreed Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, version. Sadly, Hardy died before a Oxford, having been elected at the second edition was needed. same time as Harold Wilson. Edward Wright prepared all the He was a big man, both intellectu- subsequent editions, from the ally and physically. Over 6 feet 4 second to the fifth. The book has inches, broad shouldered and been translated into many built like the rowing man he had languages, including Japanese. been in his youth. His early Sir Edward had many honours and struggles and triumphs make it distinctions, but wore them clear that he was unusually lightly. These included honorary determined and exceptionally degrees from St Andrews, Strath- intelligent. But those who knew clyde and Pennsylvania. He was a him best will remember him most Fellow of the Royal Society of strongly for his kindness, his Edinburgh and was awarded its generosity and his sense of Macdougall-Brisbane Prize in humour. 1952. He was the longest-serving He is survived by his son, Professor member of the London Mathe- J D M Wright. I thank John Wright matical Society and won its Senior for much help in the preparation Berwick Prize in 1978. In the same of this notice. year he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Order of Polonia A R Pears

Edward Maitland Wright, BA(Lond), MA, DPhil(Oxon), LLD(St And, Penn, Aberd), DSc(Strath). Born 13 February 1906. Elected FRSE 1937. Died 2 February 2005.

First published in Bull. London Math. Soc. 39 (2007) 857-865 and reproduced by kind permission of the London Mathematical Society.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT TO 31 MARCH 2011 GOVERNANCE AND MANAGE- The Audit & Risk Committee (see MENT Risk Management), Fellowship The RSE Council, chaired by the Committee, Investment Commit- President, comprises thirteen tee and Prizes & Medals Trustees, including four Vice- Committee report directly to Presidents, the General Secretary, Council. the Treasurer, the Fellowship Reporting to the Council through Secretary and five ordinary the Executive Board are operation- members. Subject to annual re- al committees, including the election, Council members serve Education Committee, Interna- for three years, except for the tional Committee, the Business General Secretary and Treasurer, Innovation Forum, various who may serve for up to four Research Awards Committees, the years. All are unpaid. The Council Meetings Committee and the is responsible for the strategic Young People’s Committee. These direction and policies of the RSE, Committees largely, but not and normally meets quarterly. exclusively, comprise Fellows of An Executive Board has delegated the RSE and are concerned with responsibility from the Council for the operational delivery of the delivery of the RSE’s activities. It is RSE’s varied activities. All Fellows chaired by the General Secretary, are actively encouraged to and also has as its elected mem- participate in the RSE’s activities. bers, the Treasurer, the Convenors Two other charitable trusts of the main operational commit- founded by and closely connected tees and the Curator, as well as to the RSE, the BP Research the Chair of the RSE Scotland Fellowship Trust (the BP Trust) and Foundation and senior executive the RSE Scotland Foundation (the staff. The Executive Board Foundation), are included in the normally meets quarterly and consolidated financial statements. reports to the Council. The Foundation plays a leading The Council members and the role in the RSE’s public outreach office-bearers serving on the activities and manages the Executive Board are all elected premises in George Street. Its annually by the Fellowship in a Trustees are appointed for three postal ballot. New members of years by the RSE Council. Council and the Executive Board Following a transfer of assets in are given an extensive induction 2009, the Foundation is also through discussions with the responsible for managing the Chief Executive and senior staff. programme of activities in support of research in Scotland, funded by the Caledonian Research Fund.

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The BP Trust was created follow- departures disclosed and ing a donation of £2m in 1988 explained in the financial from BP to support a scheme of statements; and post-doctoral research fellowships ♦ prepare the financial statements in specified subjects and which on a going concern are awarded at the sole discretion of the RSE. The RSE President, ♦ basis unless it is inappropriate General Secretary and Treasurer to presume that the RSE are the BP Trustees, ex officiis. ♦ will continue in operation. STATEMENT OF COUNCIL’S The Council is responsible for RESPONSIBILITIES keeping accounting records which The Council is responsible for disclose with reasonable accuracy preparing the Annual Report and at any time the financial position the financial statements in of the RSE and which enable it to accordance with applicable law ensure that the financial state- and United Kingdom Accounting ments comply with the Charities Standards (United Kingdom and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Generally Accepted Accounting Act 2005, the Charities Accounts Practice). Under charities legisla- (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as tion applicable in Scotland, the amended) and RSE’s own Laws. It Council is required to prepare is also responsible for safeguard- accounts for each financial year ing the assets of the RSE and that give a true and fair view of hence for taking reasonable steps the state of affairs of the RSE and for the prevention and detection of the incoming resources and of fraud and other irregularities. application of resources of the The Council is also responsible for RSE for that period. In preparing the maintenance and integrity of these financial statements, the the charity and financial informa- Council is required to: tion included on the RSE’s website. Legislation in the United ♦ select suitable accounting policies and apply them Kingdom governing the prepara- consistently; tion and dissemination of financial statements may differ ♦ observe the methods and from legislation in other jurisdic- principles of the Charities SORP; tions. ♦ make judgements and estimates RISK MANAGEMENT that are reasonable and prudent; The Audit and Risk Committee, operating on a joint basis with the ♦ state whether applicable Foundation and the BP Trust, accounting standards have been reports directly to the Council, the followed, subject to any

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Foundation and the BP Trust. Its The difference the RSE aims to Chair, who cannot be a Trustee or make other Office Bearer of the RSE, is All of the Society’s activities aim to invited to attend Council meet- contribute to the following public ings as an observer. Its remit benefit outcomes: includes keeping under review the effectiveness of internal control ♦ enhancing the capacity of and risk management systems of world-class science and culture the RSE and its connected chari- researchers working in Scotland ties. The Council believes that the ♦ increasing Scotland’s research existing systems and the structure and development connections of decision-taking and reporting internationally through senior staff, the Executive ♦ improving connections between Board and the Council continue business and academia to provide assurance that risks are ♦ enhancing the capacity of assessed and carefully managed. school-age children to adopt OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES science as a career Mission and Role ♦ enhancing the public’s under- In keeping with its Royal Charter, standing of science and culture the mission of the RSE is to issues provide public benefit through ♦ informing and influencing the continued advancement of public policy decisions learning and useful knowledge. Strategic Priorities To fulfil this, it promotes learning and puts the multidisciplinary ♦ The Society seeks to make a expertise of its Fellows to work for difference through its pro- the good of Scotland and its grammes of Core Public Benefit, people. Its role is to: Fellowship and Support services. Overarching these are the ♦ promote and recognise excel- following strategic priorities: lence in, and its application to, all areas of learning ♦ developing partnerships and connections with others ♦ be a source of independent and expert advice on matters ♦ providing independent advice affecting the wellbeing of on major issues affecting public Scotland and its people policy ♦ advance public discussion on ♦ developing arts and humanities matters of national activities and their interface with science ♦ and international importance ♦ broadening public engagement • diversifying funding sources

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OVERVIEW ment including two Major The result for the year of £0.327m Research grants includes two non-recurring items ♦ Launch of a major Inquiry – an initial payment of a legacy Report on Facing up to Climate from Dr Gethin Lewis of £62,500 Change and an exceptional credit in ♦ The report on Digital Scotland, respect of pension accounting of setting out strategic priorities £240,000. The latter item arises for Scotland’s digital future mainly from the Lothian Pension Fund revaluing pension liabilities ♦ Live Webcast by the BBC of the using CPI rather than RPI as an schools Christmas lecture by inflation measure. The underlying Allan Little on Reporting the financial outcome for the year was World in an Age of Conflict a surplus of £19,000, an improve- ♦ RSE@Dumfries & Galloway an ment on the budget expectation ongoing programme of of a modest deficit. activities across the Dumfries & Total net incoming resources Galloway region £,000 ♦ Medieval week a programme of Net 327 eight lectures over four days in Less:Legacy (62) partnership with the British Appeal income (6) Academy Exceptional pension credit (240) ♦ Award of the final Gannochy Surplus on recurring activities 19 Trust Innovation Award to Matt The highlights of the successful McGrath of Aircraft Medical, year and which are detailed in the which has developed the report include: world’s first portable video laryngoscope ♦ Award of a total of six Scottish Government Personal Research ♦ The first in a series of seminars Fellowships, each of up to five held in partnership with the years length, also eligible for French Embassy and the Collège the Marie Curie COFUND travel de France for early-career French funding awarded in 2008. and Scottish scientists in areas There are now a total of 17 of science where Scotland and Personal Research Fellows in France have strengths post ♦ Completion and dissemination of the chemistry exemplification ♦ Award of a further 12 Enterprise Fellowships throughout the UK materials in support of the Curriculum for Excellence ♦ Arts & Humanities awards supported by Scottish Govern- ♦ Eight corporate partners continued as Friends of the Society 380 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE YEAR and development connections This section describes the achieve- internationally. It creates condi- ments of RSE, the Foundation and tions that attract those with the BP Trust, reflecting the fact outstanding potential conducive that the Financial Statements are to becoming research leaders, to presented on a consolidated basis establish their career in Scotland for this Group of connected and make long-term contributions charities. to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics The performance of the RSE and base and its application in its connected charities in the year, Scotland. It provides scope to as compared to the output targets place special emphasis on areas of set in the Operational Plan, is research key to the well-being of reported quarterly to the Executive Scotland; for example energy, Board, and thereafter to RSE environment and biosciences and Council and to the Trustees of the complements similar programmes other connected bodies. These available on a UK-wide basis from reports have again shown that the the Royal Society, the Royal majority (>95%) of the targets Academy of Engineering, Research were reached or exceeded. In Councils and major Research many areas, additional targets, Charities. It is only through not in the initial Operational Plan valuable partnerships with key were also delivered. bodies such as BP, the Caledonian The core public benefit pro- Research Foundation, the Lloyds gramme activities are described in TSB Foundation for Scotland and more detail below, according to the Scottish Government that we the outcomes to which they were able to provide these awards contribute. and we offer our sincere thanks to Enhancing the capacity of each of these partners, for their world-class science and culture continuing support. researchers working in Scotland The following awards in science RSE Research Awards continued were made during the year: to support some of the most ♦ One new five- year BP Personal outstanding young scientists and Research Fellowships from 11 innovators working in Scotland applicants was awarded today. The Research Fellowships ♦ Six Personal Research Fellow- Awards Programme successfully ships were awarded from 54 enhance the capacity of world- applicants and five started class science and culture during the year researchers working in Scotland; and increase Scotland’s research

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♦ Three Support Research to support a new Edinburgh Fellowships were awarded from Edition of the Collected Works of eight applicants Robert Louis Stevenson and the ♦ Seven CRF European Visiting cataloguing, exhibition and re- Research Fellowships in Arts, interpretation of ‘Turkey red’ and Humanities & Social Sciences other decorative textile collections held at the National Museums of ♦ Cormack awards: one Under- Scotland. graduate Prize, one Postgraduate Prize and six Since its inception in 2007, this Vacation Research Scholarships programme has enabled 57 plus one Piazzi Smyth Vacation individuals to develop links with Scholarship people and organisations they would not otherwise have easily ♦ Six Lessells Travel Scholarships been able to work with. The Scottish Government-funded Early evidence shows that the Personal Research Fellowship objective of improving under- scheme now offers six, five-year standing of human culture past fellowships per year and is the and present is being met by largest fellowship scheme admin- setting in motion long-term istered by the RSE for postdoctoral dialogue, both interdisciplinary researchers.The research fellow- and inter-institutional, across ships lever benefits for Scottish Scotland and beyond, involving research – since 2003 £6.1m of artists, curators, art historians, support provided for fellowships librarians, archivists, scientists and has enabled more than £46.8m of research students. An independ- further research funding to be ent evaluation of the scheme so obtained by research fellows.Also far is planned for 2011–12. supported by Scottish Govern- ment grant, the Arts & Humanities The Royal Medals of the Royal programme supported the award Society of Edinburgh are its most of: prestigious award, recognising outstanding research excellence ♦ Six Research Workshops and scholarship. The 2010 medals ♦ Nine Small Research Grants were awarded, with the approval ♦ Four Research Networks of Her Majesty The Queen, to Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart FRS ♦ Two Major Research Grants HonFRSE, for his outstanding Two existing Research Networks contribution to chemistry, and in were supported in their second particular the area of molecular year of a two-year grant. The nanotechnology; and Dr James Major Research Grants were MacMillan CBE FRSE, for his awarded for the first time this year outstanding contribution to music

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in Scotland and beyond. The the development and mainte- Medals were presented by HRH nance of relationships and The Duke of Edinburgh at a activities with other overseas ceremony at the Royal Society of Academies. Based on the good Edinburgh. relationships developed, the The IEEE/ RSE/Wolfson, James Bilateral and Open exchange Clerk Maxwell Award for 2010 schemes support researcher was awarded to Dr Amar G. Bose exchanges that lead to collabora- FIEEE – founder of Bose Corpora- tive projects and result in further tion and developer of advanced research funding from other Electronic Systems for sound and sources. A particularly strong part entertainment – for his outstand- of the programme, which cements ing contributions to consumer relationships and collaborations electronics in sound reproduction, are the joint research projects run industrial leadership and engi- over two years between Scottish neering education. and overseas Institutes (currently the National Natural Science Increasing Scotland’s research Foundation of China), supporting and development connections longer-term collaborations and internationally levering further funding. This programme seeks to increase During the year, 39 Bilateral and Scotland’s research and develop- 20 Open Exchange Scheme grants ment connections internationally; were awarded, which amounted and increase the number of to 186.5 person weeks of re- world-class science and culture searcher support (for visits researchers working in Scotland. It between Scotland and over 20 helps create conditions for countries worldwide). Seven new talented people to live, learn, visit, joint projects with the NSFC were work and remain in Scotland; and awarded for two years from supports Scotland’s reputation as Spring 2011 in the area of a distinctive global identity, an information science and 12 independent-minded and respon- existing joint projects in engineer- sible nation at home and abroad ing and public policy, and and confident of its place in the biological sciences were support- world. ed in their first and second years. Since 2003 Scottish Government Funding was also awarded for a funding has supported the collaboration between the establishment of formal Memo- University of Stirling and the randa of Understanding between Institute of Automation, The the RSE and 12 overseas sister Chinese Academy of Sciences, to Academies, and also supported support a Scotland–China Higher

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Education Research Partnership Fellowship Schemes, funded for PhD Studies in the area of separately by Scottish Enterprise Telecommunications and Informa- (SE), the Science and Technology tion Technologies. Facilities Council (STFC) and the In partnership with the French Biotechnology and Biological Embassy in London, the University Sciences Research Council of Edinburgh and the Collège de (BBSRC). France, a seminar series of eight The Enterprise Fellows selected events entitled Seven Keys to the demonstrate the entrepreneurial Digital Future was held in October spirit needed to create a thriving 2010 as the first stage of a three- business from a research idea. year collaboration. The What the fellowship offers is collaboration will consist of events support to develop their business run for early-career French and skills, together with introductions Scottish scientists in areas of to mentors, potential collabora- science where there is excellence tors, investors and other in both France and Scotland. The specialists to help get their purpose of the seminars is to businesses firmly established. explore and publicly present areas The RSE/SE Enterprise Fellowships of science where both Scotland programme, which aims to and France have strengths and to appoint 60 Fellowships over five stimulate Franco–Scottish collabo- years, has appointed 29 over the ration in science. In November first three years. The fifth round 2010, the Rt Hon Lord Patten of took place in Spring 2010 and Barnes CH delivered the annual three Fellows were appointed who MacCormick European Lecture took up post in October 2010. entitled European Foreign Policy – The sixth round took place in is it Desirable or Possible? Autumn 2010 and five Fellows Improving connections between were appointed who took up post business and academia in Spring 2011. The Scottish The Enterprise Fellowship schemes Enterprise funded Fellowships run by the RSE encourage com- have created 61 (64% survival mercialisation of rate) companies, which in the last technology-based business ideas five years have secured £51m of from academic institutions into further investment for the £5.5m spin-out companies. The schemes funding given. Both of the help create sustainable companies Research Council schemes operate with high-value jobs that make a on a UK-wide basis and encour- positive contribution to the age the commercialisation of economy in the long term. The research previously funded by RSE administers three Enterprise BBSRC and STFC. The BBSRC

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scheme attracted an encouraging economy, as evidenced by an number of applications and, independent evaluation of the following a rigorous selection programme. process, one BBSRC Enterprise RSE Business Innovation Forum Fellow took up post in October 2010, with another taking up The Business Innovation Forum post in Spring 2011. Two STFC identified the crucial role of Enterprise Fellowships awarded in national infrastructure in support- June 2010 began in October ing the national economy, with 2010. powerful digital networks being increasingly vital parts of this Since 2003, with the support of infrastructure, and set up a the Gannochy Trust, the RSE has working group to look at the awarded an annual innovation issues. In October 2010, the RSE award of £50,000 to recognise published a report entitled Digital the best of Scotland’s young Scotland, setting out why Scot- innovators. The 2010 recipient land’s digital future is a crucial was Matt McGrath, founder of life issue, why Scotland needs to act, sciences firm Aircraft Medical, and what needs to be done. The which has developed the world’s Scottish Government’s strategy for first fully portable video laryngo- Scotland’s Digital Future, pub- scope. This technological lished in March 2011, reflected innovation, developed in Scot- recommendations made in the land, is designed to address the Digital Scotland report. risk of failure to deliver oxygen to a patient once they have received In December 2010, the Forum a general anaesthetic prior to held a joint event with the Swiss surgery and it has already been Embassy on Stimulating Innova- used in over 250,000 cases tion. This compared the around the world. experiences of stimulating innovation in Scotland and This was the final year of the Switzerland, with a view to award and the RSE is extremely helping improve innovation policy grateful to the Gannochy Trust for in Scotland by learning from its generous support, which Switzerland’s successful approach- resulted in us being able to es. The event was also used as an recognise the work of seven opportunity to launch the RSE’s highly innovative and entrepre- Innovation Friendly Scotland neurial individuals. Moreover, this advice paper, which identified key support has helped contribute to priorities for the support of Scotland’s well-being through business innovation development generating around £4 million of in Scotland. added value for the Scottish

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Enhancing the capacity of Scotland via GLOW and the RSE school-age children to adopt web site science as a career ♦ Christmas Lecture – Reporting The Schools Programme continues the World in an Age of Conflict to use RSE Fellows and other – schools lecture in Stranraer, experts to share their knowledge which was webcast live by the and understanding of science and BBC culture with pupils, with a ♦ A national schools’ competition particular focus on enthusing in liaison with the RSE Inquiry those already “engaged”, and Facing up to Climate Change – reaching those pupils who are not in which ten schools took part in close proximity to Scottish (five primary and five Secondary) universities and science centres, and who therefore have more Building on the success of the limited opportunity to participate pilot RSE@ project in Arbroath, a and meet with experts. second year-long, locally-tailored programme of outreach activities, The activities this year were held RSE@Dumfries & Galloway, throughout Scotland and com- commenced in September 2010. prised 55 events – 60 were The aim of this initiative is to planned – attended by 1595 enhance and improve the under- school pupils. These were: standing and appreciation that ♦ 27 interactive Start-up Science people, particularly school-aged Masterclasses for S1& S2 pupils children, have for their local in university venues around community. The focus is on Scotland themes both historical and ♦ RSE@Schools – 24 talks for S3, contemporary that are relevant to S5 and S6 pupils on applied the Dumfries and Galloway region science and technology and include science and environ- ment, history and identity, ♦ SET Summer School – 14 literature and the arts and workshops given during a one- entrepreneurship. Events took week event to S5 pupils in the place in venues in towns and Lothians villages across the region, includ- ♦ All-day Discussion Forum for S5 ing Langholm, Dumfries, New and S6 students from two Galloway, Newton Stewart, schools from Glasgow and Fife Stranraer, Lockerbie and Kirkcud- on conservation and biodiversity bright. using the film Avatar by James Cameron as a source of inspira- tion, with associated material distributed to all schools in

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Enhancing the public’s under- ♦ Facing up to Climate Change standing of science and culture ♦ Thomas Telford issues ♦ Engineering a Sustainable Events Scotland Each year the RSE delivers a ♦ Wind, Water and Waves multidisciplinary programme of events aimed at a wide variety of ♦ European Foreign Policy – is it audiences. In 2010–11 we Desirable and Possible delivered 36 events attended by ♦ Adapting UK Institutions to 3747 people – our targets were Climate Change 23 events attended by 3200. ♦ Reporting the World in an Age Public Lectures and discussion of Conflict forums were attended by 3375 ♦ The Next Economy people: ♦ Why Do We need a Lighthouse? 22 Lectures : The Bell Rock and the Steven- ♦ Thomas Reid and the Art of sons Now Philosophy ♦ Food Security and Sustainability: ♦ China’s environmental challeng- One Can’t Make an Omelette es and the contribution of the Without Cracking Some Eggs Flora of China Project to ♦ Gannochy Trust Innovation resolving them Award Prize Lecture ♦ The Art of (Women) Walking: ♦ The Twin Towers: 10 years – 10 An Embodied Practice Lessons on Sustainable Infra- ♦ An epidemiological perspective structure on the causes and prevention of ♦ On Our Humble Dumfries breast cancer Boards? ♦ Global Action on Climate ♦ Galloway Waterways Change: the Road to Cancun Eight Lectures as part of Medieval ♦ The Wobbly Kaleidoscope – Week held in partnership with the Religion in our Time British Academy: ♦ James Clerk Maxwell – and how ♦ Monuments in Motion Portable a hologram was made of his Christianity: statue ♦ Relics in the Medieval ♦ Art In Madness: Dr W. A. F. Browne’s collection of patient ♦ He That All Our Comford Was? art at Crichton Royal Institution, Robert the Bruce in Scottish Dumfries in the mid-nineteenth Sources Before Barbour’s Bruce century

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♦ More than ‘Skimble-Skamble’ events were added to the website, Stuff: the Medieval Welsh Poetry and 25 written summary reports Associated with Owain of activities in the public events Glyndˆwr and schools programme were ♦ The Middle Ages – A Distant published on the site soon after Mirror – Medieval Life and the events had taken place. Plans Death through the Centuries are developing to use the new website launched in May 2011 to ♦ Personifications of Old Age in further improve the reporting of Medieval Poetry and access to our activities. ♦ The Past as Propaganda: The Media briefings and press releases Declaration of Arbroath were provided for most major ♦ The Past as Propaganda: The events and launches, and there Mongol ‘World History’ was appreciable media coverage Three Discussion Forums of many of the significant activi- ties in the RSE programme. Four ♦ A Question of Chemistry? issues of ReSourcE, the RSE ♦ The role of the composer and newsletter were published and librettist in the creation of opera distributed to the Fellowship and ♦ Climate Change during the last around 3,000 others, including 10,000 Years: Reconstructions business leaders, journalists, and uncertainties research institutes, schools, MPs, MSPs and interested individuals. Assisted Dying Mock Trial Fellows received a monthly e- Conferences bulletin, which enabled them to 372 people attended three keep up to date with and dissemi- conferences nate information on the RSE and ♦ CRF Conference 2010 – its work. In addition, seven public Diabetes & obesity: getting to e-bulletins were sent out during the heart of the matter the year to promote various events and schools activities. ♦ The Bell Rock Lighthouse, the Stevensons: Emerging Issues in Two issues of Science Scotland Aids to Navigation entitled Towards a Greener Future and Informatics, were published ♦ Assisted Dying Workshop in the year. Science Scotland Communications continues to increase people’s The RSE website provides informa- awareness of cutting-edge tion for the public and for Fellows. science and technology activities This year an increased number in Scotland. Since April 2010, the (20) of audio/ video recordings of web site has had almost 8,000

388 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

unique hits and has been viewed Informing and influencing public by people in over 32 countries. policy decisions The RSE, through the Foundation, Key outputs of the RSE’s Policy publishes two journals Earth and Advice Unit were two briefing Environmental Science Transac- papers, one for MSPs on the tions of the Royal Society of Curriculum for Excellence and a Edinburgh and Proceedings A: paper on the Future of Agricultur- Mathematics. Copies of the al Support for the Scottish journals are sent to 350 University Parliament Rural Affairs and Libraries, Academies and Institu- Environment Committee; 17 tions world wide, as part of the Advice papers, 14 to the Scottish RSE’s exchange programme. The Parliament and/or the Scottish journals are highly regarded by Government: academics as publication vehicles ♦ Scotland’s Higher Activity for their research, and they both Radioactive Waste Policy maintain a respectably high impact factor in comparison with ♦ End of Life Assistance (Scotland) similar journals in their fields. Bill Six issues of Proceedings A were ♦ Graham Donaldson’s Review of published during the 2010–11 Teacher Education in Scotland year. Six issues of Transactions ♦ Reform of the Rule Against were published. Double Jeopardy The digitisation of the RSE’s ♦ Towards a Low Carbon Economy archive journals – Transactions: for Scotland Earth Sciences (1785–1979), ♦ Scotland’s International Engage- Proceedings (1832–1940), ment Proceedings A (1941–1999) and ♦ Preventative Spending Proceedings B (1941–1996) was progressed by Cambridge Univer- ♦ Scotland’s Enterprise Network sity Press during the year and the ♦ An Agenda for Research at a digital archive will be marketed Time of Educational Reform in and made available for sale to the Scotland public during 2011–12 thus ♦ Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Bill making the RSE’s highly regarded journal archive more easily ♦ Innovation-Friendly Scotland: accessible to a world-wide Priorities for Innovation and audience. Business Development ♦ A Land Use Strategy for Scot- land

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♦ The Teaching of History in Loughran (Life Sciences, Scottish Scottish Schools Enterprise.) ♦ Scotland’s Next Energy Revolu- RSE Inquiry, Facing Up to tion Climate Change ♦ The Future of Higher Education The Inquiry, launched in October in Scotland 2009, continued its work during ♦ Delivering Sustainable Flood the year and issued its report Risk Management Facing up to Climate Change in March 2011. The Inquiry took ♦ Course Rationale and Summary written and oral evidence from for New National Qualifications over 110 organisations, more in History than 40 individuals and from six Three of these Advice papers were public meetings around Scotland, proactive interventions: Innova- involving some 400 people. The tion-Friendly Scotland, An Agenda Committee also visited exemplar for Evaluation of Educational case studies, hosted or took part Reforms and the Teaching of in over 30 seminars and confer- History in Scottish Schools. ences, and carried out a national Oral evidence to Scottish Parlia- schools’ competition. The Inquiry mentary Committees was received funding from over twenty provided on a range of subjects corporate and charitable support- including: Carbon Capture and ers, and the RSE is grateful for Storage, Digital Scotland; the their assistance in ensuring the Future of Agricultural support; Inquiry remained wholly inde- Climate Change, Women in pendent. Science, and the Inquiry into The Inquiry committee was Preventative Spending. headed by climate scientist A Science and the Parliament Professor David Sugden, Professor event was held in partnership with of Geography from the School of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Geosciences at the University of which attracted 34 exhibitors and Edinburgh and a world leader in more than 300 delegates, includ- ice sheets and global climate ing MSPs. Amongst the keynote change. speakers, on the topic of Science The Report sets out ten primary and the Scottish General Election recommendations aimed at were: Iain Gray MSP, Professor overcoming the barriers that are Anne Glover (Chief Scientific stopping Scotland from taking Adviser for Scotland), Professor steps towards a low-carbon Paul Hagan (Director of Research society, and from meeting its and Innovation, SFC), Dr Oonagh ambitious climate change targets.

390 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

These call for urgent action on 2010 with a class of S2 pupils at making the energy grid in Scot- Craigmount High School in land fit for purpose in the Edinburgh. The materials were ‘renewables’ age; the retrofitting developed by Dr Shona Scheuerl of regulation created at a time who was, for a year, seconded on when reducing CO2 emissions was a part-time basis to explore the not a concern; mobilising private exemplification of a subset of finance in support of a low- Chemistry-related Curriculum for carbon society; and embedding Excellence experiences and the need to reduce emissions outcomes into classroom work, across all government and local materials and laboratory or authority functions, and in all outside activities. The exemplifica- organisations. A short animated tion materials produced, including film was developed to accompany teachers’ and pupils’ guides, are the report and made available via hosted on the RSC website with YouTube, with the aim of reaching links from the RSE, Scottish new audiences through the Schools Education Research internet. Centre, Education Scotland and RSE Education Committee GLOW (Scotland’s national intranet for schools). The RSE Education Committee members contributed to the During the year the Education development of policy in relation Committee has been considering to helping 21st-Century educa- how this innovative and well- tion, most specifically in relation received approach can be adapted to improving science, computing in future for other subjects, and history education in schools. particularly history and comput- Following the RSE’s submission to ing. Graham Donaldson’s Review of The Fellowship Programme Teacher Education in Scotland, The RSE’s Fellowship includes men members of the RSE’s Education and women from all parts of Committee met with him to Scotland, the UK and overseas, discuss the issues being explored and encompasses the full range of by his review. disciplines, including science, In partnership with the Royal engineering, social sciences, arts, Society of Chemistry (RSC), the humanities, law, education, RSE undertook a Chemistry business and industry. exemplification project to support In March 2011, the RSE an- Curriculum for Excellence imple- nounced the election of four new mentation. The RSE/RSC Corresponding Fellows, one Chemistry exemplification materi- Honorary Fellow and 40 new als were launched in November

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Fellows. This followed the scrutiny facilities in George Street. Income in 2010 of 149 candidates from this activity was down from through a four-stage committee the previous year; although the process, culminating in the postal number of hires was almost the ballot in December to the entire same as 2009/10. The Foundation Fellowship. The addition of new was also responsible for letting Fellows in 2010 brought the surplus space to tenants – numbers of all categories of Universities Scotland and Lakeland Fellows up to 1546 – 66 Honorary Ltd. The income generated from Fellows; 61 Corresponding these lettings supported the RSE Fellows and 1419 Fellows. public benefit programmes. The discipline balance of the Caledonian Research Fund (CRF) Fellowship is broadly represented The Foundation continues to by four cognate sectors. The administer funds received from current balance of these sectors CRF in 2009 in accordance with for Fellows is 36% (Life Sciences – the transfer agreement. The Sector A), 37 %(Physical Engineer- Trustees agreed firstly to honour ing and Informatic Sciences – the existing financial commit- Sector B),16% (Humanities and ments of the CRF in support of Creative Arts – Sector C) and 11% scientific research, and thereafter (Social Sciences, Education and to apply the assets at their Public Service – Sector D). discretion, with the proviso that The RSE holds an Induction Day they should have regard to the each year for the new Fellows. This existing activities of the CRF. At provides an opportunity for new the time of the transfer the Fellows to meet with members of existing schemes of the CRF Council, the Executive Board and comprised: PostDoctoral Research RSE staff, and to be formally Fellowships in Bomedical Sciences; admitted to the RSE. There were European Visiting Fellowships to also events primarily for Fellows, enable scholars from continental including the Fellows’ Summer Europe to spend short periods Reception, the Royal Medals working in Scotland and vice Award Ceremony, and the Annual versa; Postgraduate Scholarships Statutory Meeting. for students undertaking research RSE Scotland Foundation leading to a PhD degree in Scotland; and an annual interna- In addition to publishing the RSE tional conference on aspects of Journals, the Foundation contin- the biomedical sciences. ued to support education and the transfer of useful knowledge Five postdoctoral research fellows through letting the conference and six postgraduate students were in post in 2009 and were

392 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

due to conclude between July During the year, SBF was run as a 2010 and September 2011. Since project of the Foundation sup- then the Trustees have agreed to ported by grant funding. As this the award of one postdoctoral funding came to an end it was Fellowship and one postgraduate necessary to seek a new mecha- studentship in each of 2009–10 nism for sustaining the and 2010–11. established and well-supported Other commitments made in network of SBF. In March 2011, 2010–11 comprised seven grants agreement was reached to merge for European Visiting Research the SBF activities with those of Fellowships totalling £17,540 and Nexxus, the life science network- a Conference entitled Diabetes ing organisation for Scotland’s life and obesity: getting to the heart scientists established in 2003, of the matter, which took place in which has broadly similar aims to May 2010. the Forum and is already familiar to many of its members through All of the activities of the CRF are its website, publications and administered on behalf of the events. Foundation by the RSE, except the administration of the postgradu- BP Research Fellowship Trust ate scholarship scheme, which After obtaining the agreement of remains with the Carnegie Trust BP to the restructuring of the for the Universities of Scotland. postdoctoral fellowship scheme, Scottish Bioinformatics Forum the first five-year appointment to (SBF) the revised fellowship was made in Spring 2010 and commenced SBF actively promotes training and in September 2010. As well as an knowledge transfer of bioinfor- extended period of support from matics skills, including facilitating the Trust, BP Research Fellows will multi-centre collaborations, now be eligible to apply for other industry and academic joint external grant funding in support ventures, partnering, knowledge of their research. A new Hutton transfer, and bioinformatics Prize in Energy Innovation will be training. It performs an important awarded in alternate years when role in promoting bioinformatics there is no Fellowship award. It is as a key enabling technology in planned that the first Hutton Prize Life Science research and develop- in Energy Innovation will be ment. awarded in 2011.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW AND review, no compliance issues arose POLICIES which required to be reported to Investment powers and policy the Committee. The management of the invest- Operating policies – grant making ment funds of the RSE, the The RSE makes grants to individu- Foundation and the BP Research als in higher education Fellowship Trust is carried out by institutions in support of research Speirs & Jeffrey & Co on a discre- activities in the categories of tionary basis. The objectives set by postdoctoral Research Fellow- the Council are to ensure a ships, Support Research sufficient level of income to meet Fellowships, post-graduate the target set annually by the Studentships, undergraduate Council, and to invest for real Vacation Scholarships, Enterprise capital growth over the long term. Fellowships and international The Council has delegated the exchange grants. detailed monitoring of perform- Each of these categories is ance to an Investment Committee specifically funded from various chaired by the Treasurer and sources, including the RSE’s which includes at least one restricted funds. The basis of ordinary member of Council and eligibility and selection varies two external investment experts. according to the detailed scheme Comparisons are made against a regulations, which are published composite benchmark reflecting on the RSE’s website the mix of assets held and the (www.royalsoced.org.uk). WM Charities Income Constrained Index. Grants are also made in support of research activities of Fellows of The performance of the portfolios the RSE, including support for in the year was as follows: travel connected with research or Income Actual Total Benchmark scholarship, small scale specialist Target Income Return meetings, to assist research £’000 £’000 % % visitors to Scotland to undertake 214 214 9.3 7.8 (RSE) collaborative research work with a 123 123 9.0 7.8 (BP) Fellow, to assist a visiting lecturer 315 314 6.5 7.8 (FDN) to come to Scotland, to assist The Investment Committee meets research collaboration between twice annually with the invest- two institutions in Scotland or ment managers to discuss their between universities and industry compliance with the constraints and to assist in the publication of set by the Committee and risk books written by Fellows. These environment. In the year under grants are funded by the RSE’s designated Grants Fund. The

394 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

Grants Committee is responsible Result for the year for making awards in accordance The surplus of consolidated net with the detailed rules set out by incoming resources for the year the Council of the RSE for the was £327,000, compared to the disbursement of the Grants Fund. £62,000 deficit achieved last year. Reserves policy and funds As outlined above, this was after The RSE holds a number of crediting exceptional pension restricted funds resulting from adjustments of £240,000 arising bequests for particular purposes, mainly from the calculations of details of which are set out in future pensions increases being note 2 to the financial statements. based on Consumer Prices Index The Council has created designat- rather than the Retail Prices Index, ed funds, from its unrestricted and legacy and appeal income of funds, the purposes of which are £68,000. The underlying surplus also set out in note 2 to the was therefore £19,000. financial statements. The General Investment gains comprised Fund represents the balance of £8,000 realised in the year and unrestricted funds arising from £515,000 unrealised at the year past operations. The Council has end. The net movement on funds examined the requirement to hold for the year after the FRS17 unrestricted funds, and concluded actuarial adjustment was that, whilst the present level of £1.026m. reserves gives adequate working Income and Expenditure capital for core costs, it is desira- ble to have a General Fund reserve Total incoming resources in the range of six months’ Total incoming resources were expenditure on central costs or £5.94 m (2010 – £5.29m), an approximately £780,000. increase of 12%. The increase The current fund balance is arose mainly from increases in £758,000. The Council has also income received from charitable reviewed the purposes and activities, of which the increase in amounts of each of the designat- funding for the Scottish Govern- ed funds, which comprise ment Research Fellowships and allocations for specific purposes the Arts & Humanities awards was of sums that had been donated in the largest contribution. prior periods, together with the Voluntary income (note 4) of Development Fund and the £409,000 includes Fellows’ Capital Asset Reserve. subscriptions, the grant in support of SBF, together with an initial distribution from a legacy from Dr Gethin Lewis and contin-

395 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

uing contributions from the direct and management time in ‘Friends of the Society’ – corporate securing funding. partners of the RSE, listed in note Overall, expenditure on charitable 26(d). activities has increased by Incoming resources from charita- £488,000. Grants payable in ble activities of £4.61m increased support of research and innova- by 17% from the 2009 – 10 level tion made up the major part of of £3.94m. this increase, rising from £3.64m The increases in income for to £4.01m. Expenditure on promotion of research and Scottish Government-funded innovation were for Arts & research rose by £636,000, offset Humanities research funded by by reductions in the CRF grants the Scottish Government and the payable as expenditure was increased duration of Scottish reduced to balance income and a Government Research Fellow- fall in expenditure on Enterprise ships. Income was received for the Fellowships due to the timing of Gannochy Trust Innovation Award appointments made. Expenditure this year again, having not been on influencing public policy also awarded in 2009. In other increased, due to an increase in charitable activities income the volume of activity and staff received for the Climate Change capacity. Inquiry was recognised as the Governance costs, which have work progressed. remained at a similar level to Resources expended previous years, represent less than 3% of total recurring Total resources expended on a income. like-for-like basis increased by 9%. The expenditure after the excep- Transfers between funds shown in tional pension adjustment, has the Statement of Financial increased by 5% (£0.26m) from Activities comprise the recurring last year. This reflects the in- transfer from the Capital Asset creased expenditure on charitable Reserve of a total of £101,000 to activities, as governance and costs match the depreciation of build- of generating funds are similar to ings and the capital repayment of previous years. the loan to the Foundation; and a transfer on consolidation from the Cost of generating funds (note 6) Foundation restricted fund includes the cost of the Fellowship balance to the General Fund, office, the costs of building equivalent to the net inter-entity management in respect of income income received in the RSE. from letting of surplus space, as well as fundraising costs, both

396 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

Balance sheet conditions, the continuing Consolidated net assets have strategy of diversification of increased from £21.15m to income is essential. The Council’s £22.18m; about half the increase aim of building relationships with coming from the unrealised a view to working in partnership is surplus on investments of progressing in respect of the £516,000 with the balance arising corporate sector through the from the FRS17 pension adjust- Friends of the Society, and good ments. These comprise the progress was made in the year. exceptional credit of £240,000 The aim of building the Develop- due to the change in calculation ment Fund as an internal resource of pensions increases and an continues, although this is of actuarial gain recognised of necessity a long term plan. £175,000. Although the gain As a major project in 2011–12, calculated by the actuary was plans are now well advanced for £262,000, the amount recognised the creation of a Young Academy in the financial statements was of Scotland, drawn from the restricted so that no net pension younger generation of research- asset was recognised, because it is ers, scholars, business people and unlikely that such an asset could professionals. The Academy will be realised in the foreseeable present an opportunity for this future. group to interact with each other Net current assets decreased from and integrate with the decision £1.99m to £1.54m, as cash makers and opinion formers to deposits of £500,000 were address the important issues in transferred to fixed asset invest- Scottish life today. ments in the year, to improve the Public sector funding is likely to investment return. Debtors have continue to be uncertain, but our increased by £446,000, mainly review of the Strategic Framework reflecting the timing of receipt of and priorities for the period from Scottish Government grant claims. 2012, will seek to mitigate the Creditors have increased as a effects of these uncertainties. The result of grants and awards focus will remain on the success- commitments made in the second ful delivery of RSE’s varied half of the year. programme of activities with Future plans public benefit outcomes within the priorities set by the Council. In the context of the 16% cut in the RSE’s Scottish Government Signed on behalf of the Council grant for 2011–12 and uncertain- Ewan Brown CBE ty about external financial Treasurer September 2011

397 The Royal Society of Edinburgh AUDITORS’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS Independent Auditor’s Report Respective responsibilities of to the Council of the Royal trustees and auditor Society of Edinburgh As explained more fully in the We have audited the financial Trustees’ Responsibilities State- statements of the Royal Society of ment, the Trustees are responsible Edinburgh for the year ended 31 for the preparation of financial March 2011 which comprise the statements which give a true and group statement of financial fair view. activities, the charity statement of We have been appointed as financial activities, the group auditor under section 44(1)(c) of balance sheet, the charity balance Charities and Trustee Investment sheet, the cashflow statement and (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in the related notes. The financial accordance with regulations made reporting framework that has under that Act. Our responsibility been applied in their preparation is to audit and express an opinion is applicable law and United on the financial statements in Kingdom Accounting Standards accordance with applicable law (United Kingdom Generally and International Standards on Accepted Accounting Practice). Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those This report is made solely to the standards require us to comply charity’s Trustees, as a body, in with the Auditing Practices accordance with section 44(1)(c) of Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards the Charities and Trustee Invest- for Auditors. ment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Scope of the audit of the regulation 10 of the Charities financial statements Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been An audit involves obtaining undertaken so that we might state evidence about the amounts and to the charity’s Trustees, as a body, disclosures in the financial those matters we are required to statements sufficient to give state to them in an auditors’ reasonable assurance that the report and for no other purpose. financial statements are free from To the fullest extent permitted by material misstatement, whether law, we do not accept or assume caused by fraud or error. This responsibility to anyone other includes an assessment of: than the charity and the charity’s whether the accounting policies Trustees as a body, for our audit are appropriate to the charity’s work, for this report, or for the circumstances and have been opinions we have formed. consistently applied and ade- quately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant

398 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

accounting estimates made by the Matters on which we are Trustees; and the overall presenta- required to report by exception tion of the financial statements. In We have nothing to report in addition, we read all the financial respect of the following matters and non-financial information in where the Charity Accounts the Trustees’ Report to identify (Scotland) Regulations 2006 material inconsistencies with the requires us to report to you if, in audited financial statements. If we our opinion: become aware of any apparent material misstatements or incon- ♦ the information given in the sistencies we consider the Trustees’ Annual Report is implications for our report. inconsistent in any material respect with the financial Opinion on financial statements statements; or In our opinion the financial ♦ proper accounting records have statements: not been kept; or ♦ give a true and fair view of the ♦ the financial statements are not state of the group and the in agreement with the account- charity’s affairs as at 31 March ing records and returns; or 2011 and of the group and charity’s incoming resources and ♦ we have not received all the application of resources, for the information and explanations year then ended; we require for our audit. ♦ have been properly prepared in Henderson Loggie accordance with United King- Chartered Accountants and dom Generally Accepted Statutory Auditors Accounting Practice; and (Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the ♦ have been prepared in accord- Companies Act 2006). ance with the requirements of 5 September 2011 the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Chari- ties Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

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ACCOUNTS

Group statement of financial activities (incorporating the income & expenditure account) for year ended 31 March 2011

Note General Designated Restricted Restricted 2011 Total 2010 Total Fund Funds Income Funds ££££ £ £

Income Voluntary income 4 232,721 62,500 114,071 409,292 433,811 Activities for generating income 4 253,487 253,487 258,362 Investment income 4 25,078 143,446 506,615 675,139 663,688

Incoming resources from generated funds 257,799 205,946 874,173 1,337,918 1,355,861 Incoming resources from charitable activities 5 77,619 4,179,542 354,518 4,611,679 3,937,256

Total incoming resources 335,418 205,946 4,179,542 1,228,691 5,949,597 5,293,117

Expenditure Cost of generating funds 6 (206,179) (9,845) (65,429) (281,453) (267,938) Charitable activities 6 (237,267) (55,780) (4,179,542) (948,805) (5,421,394) (4,933,408) Exceptional FRS 17 pension credit 6,12 240,000 240,000 Governance 6 (117,244) (42,377) (159,621) (154,189)

Total resources expended (320,690) (65,625) (4,179,542) (1,056,611) (5,622,468) (5,355,535)

Net (outgoing)/incoming resources 14,728 140,321 172,080 327,129 (62,418) before transfers

Transfers between funds 218,288 (101,818) (116,470) –

Other recognised gains/(losses) Gains/(losses) on investment assets Realised gains/(losses) 459 29,363 (21,672) 8,150 341,629 Unrealised gains/(losses) 2,248 143,738 369,824 515,810 2,873,292

Actuarial gain/(losses) on Lothian Pension Fund 175,000 175,000 (607,000)

Net movement in funds 410,723 211,604 403,762 1,026,089 2,545,503

Balance brought forward at 1 April 2010 347,514 7,487,006 13,321,065 21,155,585 18,610,082

Balance carried forward at 31 March 2011 758,237 7,698,610 13,724,827 22,181,674 21,155,585

400 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 Group balance sheet at 31 March 2011

Note 2011 2011 2010 2010 ££££

Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 14 3,772,071 3,880,489

Fixed asset investments Investments at market value 15 17,087,892 16,083,212

20,859,963 19,963,701

Current assets

Debtors 16 1,217,162 770,792 Cash at bank and in hand 130,051 310,904 Money Market deposits – Designated funds 96,343 95,864 Money Market deposits – Restricted funds 1,637,362 1,499,620 Money Market deposits – General funds 29,356 636,180

3,110,274 3,313,360

Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 (1,570,713) (1,316,484)

Net current assets 1,539,561 1,996,876

Total assets less current liabilities 22,399,524 21,960,577

Provision for liabilities and charges 18 (217,850) (389,992)

Net assets excluding pension fund 22,181,674 21,570,585

Lothian Pension Fund defined benefit scheme asset/(liability) 23 (415,000)

Net assets after pension fund asset/(liability) 22,181,674 21,155,585

Funds General Fund 758,237 762,514 Add: Pension reserve (415,000)

19 758,237 347,514 Designated Funds 20 7,698,610 7,487,006 Restricted Funds 21 13,724,827 13,321,065

Total funds 22,181,674 21,155,585

The accounts were approved by the Council on 5 September 2011 and signed on its behalf by:

Ewan Brown, CBE Treasurer

401 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

RSE balance sheet at 31 March 2011

Note 2011 2011 2010 2010 ££££

Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 14 2,115,452 2,171,157

Fixed asset investments Investments at market value 15(a) 6,064,793 5,242,639 Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 15(b) 1,703,904 1,750,712

9,884,149 9,164,508

Current assets Debtors 16 1,124,283 604,866 Cash at bank and in hand 109,181 195,667 Money Market deposits – Designated funds 96,343 95,864 Money Market deposits – Restricted funds 1,637,362 1,499,620 Money Market deposits – General funds 29,356 636,180

2,996,525 3,032,197

Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 (2,286,639) (1,709,422)

Net current assets 709,886 1,322,775

Total assets less current liabilities 10,594,035 10,487,283

Provision for liabilities and charges 18 (217,850) (389,992)

Net assets excluding pension fund 10,376,185 10,097,291

Lothian Pension Fund defined benefit scheme asset/(liability) 23 (415,000)

Net assets after pension fund asset/(liability) 10,376,185 9,682,291

Funds General Fund 758,237 762,514 Add: Pension reserve (415,000)

19 758,237 347,514 Designated Funds 20 7,698,610 7,487,006 Restricted Funds 21 1,919,338 1,847,771

Total funds 10,376,185 9,682,291

The accounts were approved by the Council on 5 September 2011 and signed on its behalf by:

Ewan Brown, CBE Treasurer

402 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011

RSE statement of financial activities

(incorporating the income & expenditure account) for year ended 31 March 2011

Note General Designated Restricted Restricted 2011 Total 2010 Total Fund Funds income funds £££££ £

Income Voluntary income 232,721 62,500 6,249 301,470 280,542 Investment income 109,545 143,446 70,026 323,017 313,620

Incoming resources from generated funds 342,266 205,946 76,275 624,487 594,162 Incoming resources from charitable activities 109,622 4,570,000 4,679,622 4,122,775

Total incoming resources 451,888 205,946 4,570,000 76,275 5,304,109 4,716,937

Expenditure Cost of generating funds (206,179) (9,845) (216,024) (197,551) Charitable activities (237,267) (55,780) (4,570,000) (88,556) (4,951,603) (4,450,184) Exceptional FRS 17 pension credit 12 240,000 240,000 Governance (117,244) (117,244) (114,751)

Total resources expended (320,690) (65,625) (4,570,000) (88,556) (5,044,871) (4,762,486)

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers 131,198 140,321 (12,281) 259,238 (45,549)

Transfers between funds 101,818 (101,818) –

Other recognised gains/(losses) Gains /(losses) on investment assets Realised gains/(losses) 459 29,363 14,223 44,045 124,265 Unrealised gains/(losses) 2,248 143,738 69,625 215,611 862,785

Actuarial gains (losses) on Lothian Pension Fund 23 175,000 175,000 (607,000)

Net movement in funds 410,723 211,604 71,567 693,894 334,501

Balance brought forward at 1 April 2010 347,514 7,487,006 1,847,771 9,682,291 9,347,790

Balance carried forward at 31 March 2011 758,237 7,698,610 1,919,338 10,376,185 9,682,291

403 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Group cash flow statement for the year ended 31 March 2011

2011 2011 2010 2010 ££ £ £

Cash flow statement Net cash outflow from operating activities (827,373) (490,497)

Returns on investments and servicing of finance: Interest received 24,097 31,429 Dividends received 642,040 632,259

666,137 663,688 Capital expenditure and financial investment: Purchase of tangible fixed assets (13,527) (18,110) Proceeds from sale of investments 2,968,391 4,008,894 Purchases of investments (3,449,111) (3,951,866) Capital receipt 157

(494,247) 39,075

Net cash flow before financing: (655,483) 212,266 Appeal receipts 6,027 7,143

(Decrease)/Increase in cash in the year (649,456) 219,409

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds

(Decrease)/Increase in cash in the year (649,456) 219,409 Net funds at beginning of year 2,542,568 2,323,159

Net funds at end of year (note 27) 1,893,112 2,542,568

Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash outflow from operating activities

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers 327,129 (62,418) Retirement benefit scheme current service cost 147,000 61,000 Retirement benefit scheme contributions (144,000) (120,000) Retirement benefit scheme finance cost (243,000) 6,000 Appeal receipts (6,027) (7,143) Dividends receivable (651,042) (632,259) Interest receivable (24,097) (31,429) Depreciation 121,945 122,208 Capital receipt in cash (157) Capital receipt in shares (40,801) Increase in debtors (437,368) (308,233) Increase in creditors 254,229 762,971 Movement on provision for liabilities (172,142) (240,236)

Net cash outflow from operating activities (827,373) (490,497)

404 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

1 Accounting basis Designated Funds CASS Fund – to fund academic / industrial The accounts have been drawn up to Capital Asset Reserve Fund – representing liaison. comply with the provisions of the Charities & the book cost of the buildings at Retailing Seminar Fund – to fund a Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and 22-24 George Street and 26 George Street programme of seminars on retailing. the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations together with the building project loan to the 2006, and follow the recommendations of RSE Scotland Foundation. Edinburgh Drug Absorption Foundation Fund the Statement of Recommended Practice for – to fund a series of conferences on the broad Development Appeal Fund to provide charities (SORP) approved by the Accounting theme of ‘Drugs Futures’. development finance to implement the RSE Standards Board in February 2005 and Strategic Framework. RSE Scotland Foundation – a trust to advance applicable accounting standards. The the education of the public in Scotland in accounts have been prepared under the Programme Fund a fund created to act as science, engineering and technology, historical cost accounting rules as modified a source of funding for meetings activities. incorporating assets transferred from the CRF. to include the revaluation of investments. C H Kemball Fund – income from this fund is The CRF funds remain restricted until pre- The accounts comprise five primary financial used to provide hospitality for distinguished existing awards and appointments are statements: the Group and RSE statement visitors from other learned societies and concluded. of financial activities incorporating the income Academies. and expenditure account, the Group and RSE BP Research Fellowship Trust – a trust balance sheet and the Group cash Dr James Heggie Fund – income from this to fund postdoctoral research fellowships flow statement. fund supports the RSE’s activities with in Scotland. young people. On the basis of the RSE’s reserves and cash position and the secured and expected Grants Fund – a fund created by contributions 3 Accounting policies incoming resources for the next twelve and legacies from Fellows and used to provide Incoming resources months, the Council considers that it is grants to support research activities Voluntary income appropriate to prepare the financial to Fellows. Subscriptions are accounted for on the basis statements on a going concern basis. Restricted Income Fund – income funds of the subscription year to October 2011 The consolidated financial statements include received for expenditure on current projects. and include income tax recoverable on the the financial statements of the RSE and subscriptions paid under Gift Aid. Restricted Funds of entities which are under its control: RSE Revenue grants are credited to income in Robert Cormack Bequest – to promote Scotland Foundation and BP Research the period in which the RSE becomes entitled astronomical knowledge and research Fellowship Trust. As the objectives of each to the resources. of these entities are narrower than those in Scotland. Donations of a recurring nature from other of the RSE, they have been treated as Lessells Trust – to fund scholarships abroad for charitable foundations and one-off gifts and restricted funds. engineers. legacies included in other income are taken Auber Bequest – to fund research in Scotland to revenue in the period to which they relate. 2 Funds and England by naturalised British citizens over Investment income The RSE’s funds are classified in accordance 60 years of age. Interest and dividends are accounted for with the definitions in SORP into Restricted Prizes Fund – to fund various prizes. in the year in which they are received. Funds, where there are restrictions placed by a donor as to the use of income or capital, Dryerre Fund – to fund postgraduate Incoming resources for charitable activities Designated Funds where the Society has set scholarships in medical or veterinary Incoming resources for activities are accounted aside sums from its unrestricted funds for a physiology. for on an accruals basis. particular purpose and the General Fleck Bequest Fund – to promote interest, (unrestricted) Fund. The classifications made knowledge and appreciation of science and its are as follows: applications throughout Scotland. General Fund Piazzi Smyth Legacy Fund – to fund high A discretionary Fund available to the Council altitude astronomical research. to meet the ordinary activities of the Society. Sillitto Fund – to promote interest in physics among young people.

405 The Royal Society of Edinburgh notes to the financial statements

Publication income receivable in foreign currencies is converted into sterling at rates Charitable activities of exchange ruling at the date of receipt. Grants payable are recognised as a liability Minor equipment is charged against revenue when the RSE is under an actual or in the year of purchase. Computer and Incoming resources for research fellowships constructive obligation to make a transfer to audio-visual is depreciated on a straight line are accounted for in the period in which the a third party. Where grants are time related basis over 3–20 years. RSE becomes entitled to the resources. to future periods and are to be financed by Income received for specific projects, and specific grants receivable in those future Investments received in advance of the commencement periods, they are treated as liabilities of those Investments are stated at their market value of the project, is deferred. If the project were periods and not as liabilities at balance sheet at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses on not to proceed as planned, the RSE would date. Such grants are disclosed as future disposal and revaluation of investments not be entitled to retain the funds. For commitments. are charged or credited in the statement of performance-related grants, where financial activities and allocated to funds in entitlement to the incoming resource only Governance costs accordance with their proportionate share arises with the performance of the specific Governance costs are those incurred in of the investment portfolio. outputs agreed under the contracts, income is connection with the management of RSE deferred. assets, organisational administration and Pensions compliance with constitutional and statutory The RSE participates in defined benefit Resources expended requirements. pension schemes which are externally funded. Expenditure and support costs The cost of providing pensions is allocated Tangible fixed assets, depreciation All resources expended are included on over employees working lives with the RSE and repairs an accruals basis, having regard to any and is included in staff costs. constructive obligations created by The RSE’s principal assets are its buildings in multi-year grant commitments. George Street, Edinburgh. Under FRS15 the Pension fund assets arising from valuations Society depreciates the buildings assuming under FRS 17 are recognised only to the Where directly attributable, resources a 50-year life. It is the policy of the Council to extent that the asset is recoverable in the expended are allocated to the relevant maintain the buildings to a high standard. Any foreseeable future. functional category. Overhead and support permanent diminutions in value are reflected in costs are allocated to functional category the statement of financial activities. Costs of Foreign exchange on the basis of direct staff costs in each repairs and maintenance are charged against Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign area of activity. revenue. currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date Cost of generating funds Expenditure incurred by the RSE Scotland while transactions arising during the year are The cost of generating funds includes Foundation in the improvements to translated at the spot rate prevailing when the expenditure incurred in supporting the 26 George Street is being depreciated from the transaction arises. Exchange gains or losses Fellowship and incurred on fundraising date of completion of the refurbishment over arising in the year are recognised in the and development initiatives. the period of the lease to the RSE Scotland Foundation to 30 June 2047. statement of financial activities.

406 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

4 Incoming resources

Current year 2011 Voluntary income Activities for Investment Promotion of Other charitable Total 2011 generating income research and activities innovation ££££££

Fellows 208,823 208,823 Individuals and legacies 70,148 17,666 87,814 Companies 16,250 75,268 91,518 Charitable trusts 6,249 123,533 54,905 184,687 Scottish Government 2,214,640 680,910 2,895,550 Public sector bodies 1,068,472 21,768 1,090,240 Bank interest 24,097 24,097 Dividends 214,454 214,454

RSE 301,470 238,551 3,406,645 850,517 4,797,183 BP Research Fellowship Trust -dividends and interest 122,113 122,113 RSE Scotland Foundation grant re SBF grants & donations 107,822 107,822 rental income 253,487 253,487 charitable activities 354,517 354,517 dividends and interest 314,475 314,475

409,292 253,487 675,139 3,406,645 1,205,034 5,949,597

Voluntary income Activities for Investment Promotion of Other charitable Total 2010 Prior year 2010 generating income research and activities innovation

££££££

Fellows 206,940 _ 206,940 Individuals 8,386 8,747 17,133 Companies 16,250 33,262 49,512 Charitable trusts 48,966 24,990 49,708 123,664 Scottish Government 1,578,362 679,755 2,258,117 Public sector bodies 1,235,751 12,253 1,248,004 Bank interest 31,429 31,429 Dividends 195,853 195,853

RSE 280,542 227,282 2,839,103 783,725 4,130,652 BP Research Fellowship Trust -dividends and interest 131,224 131,224 RSE Scotland Foundation grant re SBF 120,620 120,620 rental income 258,362 258,362 charitable activities 314,428 314,428 dividends and interest 305,182 305,182

401,162 258,362 663,688 2,839,103 1,098,153 5,260,468 Transfer of assets from the CRF 32,649 32,649

433,811 258,362 663,688 2,839,103 1,098,153 5,293,117

407 The Royal Society of Edinburgh notes to the financial statements

4 Incoming resources (continued) 4a Voluntary income

2011 2010 ££ Contributions from RSE Fellows Admission fees 11,200 11,200 Annual subscriptions 167,971 167,280 Income tax recoverable under Gift Aid 29,652 28,460 208,823 206,940 Lessells Trust additional receipt 6,249 8,008 Appeal receipts 6,027 7,143 Legacies 62,500 Fleck Trust transfer 40,958 Friends of the Society corporate partners 16,250 16,250 Other income 1,621 1,243 301,470 280,542

In addition to the donations set out above, the RSE receives donations made specifically in support of activities which are included in activities income (see note 26(b)).

5 Incoming resources from charitable activities 2011 2010 ££

Scottish Government Grant – research fellowships 1,727,569 1,456,169 Scottish Government Grant arts & humanities awards 487,071 122,193 Marie Curie COFUND 22,931 Scottish Enterprise 573,831 719,598 BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships 369,177 449,060 STFC Enterprise Fellowships 99,253 65,593 Gannochy Trust 105,000 2,607 Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland 18,533 22,383 Scottish Crucible 3,280 1,500

3,406,645 2,839,103 Scottish Government Grant generating & communicating knowledge 373,624 372,358 Scottish Government Grant – International activities 307,286 307,398 Wider outreach activities 34,367 Meetings 36,298 41,457 Policy and advice income 70,473 33,672 IEEE / RSE / Wolfson James Clerk Maxwell Award 22,294 20,776 Educational activities 5,790 7,803 Sale of sundry publications 385 261

850,517 783,725

RSE Scotland Foundation – Journal publications 206,070 148,165 RSE Scotland Foundation – Conference facilities letting 128,847 150,623 RSE Scotland Foundation Science and society 19,600 15,640

354,517 314,428

4,611,679 3,937,256

Further information relating to grants, donations and receipts and their application is set out in note 26. 408 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

6 Resources expended

2011 2010

Direct costs Support costs Total 2011 Direct costs Support costs Total 2010 (Note 12) (Note 12) ££££££ Costs of generating funds Fundraising 9,596 117,823 127,419 2,893 106,903 109,796 Fellows’ subscriptions 78,760 78,760 78,286 78,286 Appeal donations 9,845 9,845 9,468 9,468

9,596 206,428 216,024 2,893 194,657 197,550 RSE Scotland Foundation Building management 65,099 65,099 70,032 70,032 BP Research Fellowship Trust Investment fees 330 330 356 356

Total costs of generating funds 9,926 271,527 281,453 3,249 264,689 267,938

Charitable activities Enhancing World-Class Research 2,627,491 277,571 2,905,062 2,132,356 277,395 2,409,751 Increasing International Research Connections 195,361 116,626 311,987 193,765 114,980 308,745 Improving Connections Between Business and Academia 1,001,380 102,698 1,104,078 1,126,786 107,858 1,234,644 Increasing Numbers Taking Science as a Career 32,349 51,772 84,121 8,865 46,928 55,793 Enhancing Public Appreciation of Science and Culture 126,523 237,657 364,180 128,357 239,151 367,508 Informing and Influencing Public Policy 73,391 214,781 288,172 40,667 179,065 219,732

4,056,495 1,001,105 5,057,600 3,630,796 965,377 4,596,173

RSE Scotland Foundation Journal Publications 117,903 40,027 157,930 86,602 36,181 122,783 Science and society 1,742 5,710 7,452 1,247 1,247 SBF 87,582 15,000 102,582 105,620 15,000 120,620 Conference facilities letting 95,830 95,830 92,585 92,585

207,227 156,567 363,794 193,469 143,766 337,235

Total cost of charitable activities 4,263,722 1,157,672 5,421,394 3,824,265 1,109,143 4,933,408

Exeptional FRS 17 pension credit (240,000) (240,000)

Governance (note 11) RSE 5,216 112,028 117,244 6,956 107,795 114,751 RSE Scotland Foundation 5,139 35,978 41,117 3,345 34,897 38,242 BP Research Fellowship Trust 1,260 1,260 1,196 1,196

Total governance costs 11,615 148,006 159,621 11,497 142,692 154,189

Resources expended 4,285,263 1,337,205 5,622,468 3,839,011 1,516,524 5,355,535

Central support costs as set out in note 12 have been allocated to activities in proportion to the employment cost in each area of activity.

409 The Royal Society of Edinburgh notes to the financial statements 7 Grants payable

2011 2010 ££

Promotion of research (note 8) 2,852,670 2,351,920 Prizes and grants (note 8) 52,392 57,831 Promotion of Innovation (Note 9) 1,104,078 1,234,644

4,009,140 3,644,395

8 Enhancing World-Class Research 2011 2010 ££

Promotion of Research Scottish Government Fellowships 1,601,001 1,347,903 Marie Curie COFUND actions 23,467 Arts & Humanities Workshop Grants 460,071 106,428 CRF European Fellowships 18,191 21,881 CRF Personal Fellowships 180,180 272,654 Robert Cormack Bequest 5,640 4,901 John Moyes Lessells Scholarship 29,617 19,166 Auber Bequest Awards 3,000 Henry Dryerre Scholarship 20,333 19,543

RSE 2,338,500 1,795,476 BP Research Fellowship Trust 149,274 198,728 RSE Scotland Foundation CRF 95,933 88,615

2,583,707 2,082,819

Support costs (note 6) 268,963 269,101

2,852,670 2,351,920

Prizes and Grants 43,784 49,537 Support costs (note 6) 8,608 8,294

52,392 57,831

2,905,062 2,409,751

An analysis of institutions and individual awards made under this expenditure heading is included in the Society’s Review 2010, obtainable from the address on the back cover.

410 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

9 Improving connections between business and academia

2011 2010 ££

Scottish Enterprise Fellowships 506,559 647,032 STFC Enterprise Fellowships 90,095 57,616 BRSRC Enterprise Fellowships 317,780 414,515 Gannochy Trust 86,946 7,623

1,001,380 1,126,786 Support costs (Note 6) 102,698 107,858

1,104,078 1,234,644

10 Enhancing public appreciation of science and culture 2011 2010 ££

Meetings 52,078 79,621 Publications 74,445 48,736 126,523 128,357 Support costs (Note 6) 237,657 239,151

364,180 367,508

The RSE Scotland Foundation became publisher of the RSE’s journals and year book with effect from the 1997 volumes. The RSE retains copyright and incurs editorial costs in respect of these publications. The RSE has made a donation to the RSE Scotland Foundation equivalent to its net deficit on publications.

11 Governance 2011 2010 ££

Management and secretariat 112,028 105,045 Audit fee 11,615 11,497 Other professional advice from auditors 2,750

123,643 119,292 RSE Scotland Foundation – Management and secretariat 35,978 34,897

159,621 154,189

411 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the financial statements

12 Support costs

2011 2010 ££

Salaries (note 13) 1,053,167 1,007,318 Secondments 12,395 Staff training, agency and recruitment costs 29,119 37,522 Non-cash pension cost adjustments (FRS 17) (53,000)

1,094,681 991,840 Other costs Establishment expenses 189,076 191,555 Computer and equipment costs 83,936 107,875 Communication, stationery and printing costs 46,432 40,833 Travel and subsistence, hospitality 21,964 28,531 Publicity 5,820 18,793 Miscellaneous 2,330 1,209 Professional fees and subscriptions 11,021 13,680 Depreciation 121,945 122,208

482,524 524,684

Total central costs 1,577,205 1,516,524 Exceptional FRS 17 pension credit (240,000)

1,337,205 1,516,524

Support costs have been allocated to activities in proportion to the employment cost in each area of activity as set out in note 6. The exceptional FRS 17 Pension Credit is an adjustment to salary costs arising from the calculation of future pension increases being linked to the Consumer Prices Index and not the Retail Prices Index.

13 Employees

Total RSE Support Funded Funded by RSE Total Payroll Project costs costs by Foundation 2011 2010 ££ £ £

Wages and salaries 839,354 10,141 829,213 112,126 728,946 806,728 Social security costs 63,157 465 62,692 7,573 55,398 60,591 Other pension costs 161,363 101 161,262 21,652 139,867 139,999

1,063,874 10,707 1,053,167 141,351 924,211 1,007,318

The average number of employees of the RSE including those employed under joint contracts with the RSE Scotland Foundation was 29 (2010:29). One member of staff earned over £60,000 per year and is a member of a defined benefit pension scheme.

412 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements 14 Tangible fixed assets

22 24 George Street 26 George Street Improvments Computer Total Group Purchase cost Purchase cost Purchase cost & equipment £££££ Cost At 1 April 2010 1,103,038 1,647,468 2,136,070 365,538 5,252,114 Additions 13,527 13,527 Disposals (22,303) (22,303)

At 31 March 2011 1,103,038 1,647,468 2,136,070 356,762 5,243,338

Depreciation At 1 April 2010 242,669 362,443 482,705 283,808 1,371,625 On disposals (22,303) (22,303) Charge for the year 22,061 32,949 44,467 22,468 121,945

At 31 March 2011 264,730 395,392 527,172 283,973 1,471,267

Net book value At 31 March 2011 838,308 1,252,076 1,608,898 72,789 3,772,071

At 31 March 2010 860,369 1,285,025 1,653,365 81,730 3,880,489

RSE Net book value At 31 March 2011 838,308 1,252,076 25,068 2,115,452

At 31 March 2010 860,369 1,285,025 25,763 2,171,157

15 Fixed asset investments Value at Investments Proceeds on sale Gain / (Loss) Revaluation Market value at 1 April 2010 made at cost of investments 31 March 2011 ££ ££ ££ (a) Fixed asset investments RSE Managed Funds 973,727 353,814 (204,358) 8,643 68,812 1,200,638 Fixed interest 1,768,138 236,446 (342,808) 13,422 21,962 1,697,160 UK equities 2,463,103 885,650 (338,746) 21,980 124,837 3,156,824 Cash deposits 37,671 (913,412) 885,912 10,171

5,242,639 562,498 44,045 215,611 6,064,793 BP Research Fellowship Trust Managed Funds 729,443 142,228 (177,263) (1,653) 43,715 736,470 Fixed interest 772,104 82,487 (58,018)-- 767 15,294 812,634 UK equities 1,349,530 243,997 (253,820) (8,927) 63,728 1,394,508 Cash deposits 36,204 (522,788) 489,101 2,517

2,887,281 (54,076) (9,813) 122,737 2,946,129 RSESF Caledonian Research Fund Managed Funds 1,341,204 707,622 (579,688) (19,378) 109,116 1,558,876 Fixed interest 2,130,370 371,495 (114,648) 849 30,089 2,418,155 UK equities 4,474,134 452,436 (899,042) (26,612) 57,316 4,058,232 Cash deposits 7,584 (1,559,255) 1,593,378 41,707

7,953,292 (27,702) (45,141) 196,521 8,076,970

16,083,212 480,720 (10,909) 534,869 17,087,892 The loss on sale of investments measured against their historical cost was £678,408 (2010: £226,346) The historical cost of investments was £14,820,983 (2010: £13,661,849). (RSE £5,465,908 2010: £4,689,373). Investments comprising more than 5% of the market value of the portfolio were: European Investment Bank 4.75% (2018). 413 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the financial statements

15 Fixed asset investments (continued)

(b) Loan by RSE to RSE Scotland Foundation 2011 2010 ££

Due within one year 46,808 46,808 Due after one year 1,657,096 1,703,904

1,703,904 1,750,712

The loan bears interest at 4% per annum, capped at the amount of rent received by the Foundation and is repayable over the period to 30 June 2047, the expiration of the lease of 26 George Street.

16 Debtors 2011 2010 ££

General debtors 1,118,998 563,664 Prepayments and accrued income 5,285 15,144 Income tax recoverable 26,058

RSE 1,124,283 604,866 RSE Scotland Foundation Debtors 76,374 151,363 RSE Scotland Foundation Prepayments 10,897 10,228 BP Research Fellowship Trust 5,608 4,335

Group 1,217,162 770,792

17 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 2011 2010 Group ££

General creditors 870,246 550,887 Accruals 98,260 61,713 VAT payable 30,873 34,131 University of Glasgow (note 21) 7,612 Deferred income 433,224 510,486 Event income deferred 51,341 47,130 Advance receipts – Publications 86,769 104,525

1,570,713 1,316,484

414 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

17 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (continued) Deferred income and advance receipts analysis At 1 April 2010 Received in year Recognised in year Exchange difference At 31 March 2011 Marie Curie COFUND 444,518 (22,931) (12,363) 409,224 Friends of the Society 8,000 12,250 (16,250) 4,000 Climate Change Inquiry 55,474 35,000 (70,474) 20,000 Chemistry Project 2,494 (2,494)

510,486 47,250 (112,149) (12,363) 433,224

Journal receipts 104,525 188,310 (206,066) 86,769

Event income 47,130 9,855 (5,644) 51,341

RSE 2011 2010 ££

General creditors 878,836 483,950 RSE Scotland Foundation current account 923,238 660,244 Deferred income 433,224 510,486 University of Glasgow (note 21) 7,612 Symposia income deferred 51,341 47,130

2,286,639 1,709,422

18 Provision for liabilities and charges £ Commitments for research fellowships At 1 April 2010 – Group & RSE 389,992 New commitments: Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Research Fellowships Grants paid in the year (162,142) RSE @ Dumfries & Galloway (10,000) At 31 March 2011 217,850

The provision represents amounts payable under a constructive obligation in respect of research fellowships due as follows: 2011-12 £95,505; 2012-13 £45,843

19 General Fund £

At 1 April 2010 347,514

Net movement in funds for the year from statement of financial activities 410,723

At 31 March 2011 758,237

415 The Royal Society of Edinburgh notes to the financial statements

20 Designated Funds At 1 April 2010 Investment Other income Expenditure Gains /(Losses) Transfers At 31 March 2011 income

££ ££ ££ £

Capital Asset Reserve 3,896,108 (101,818) 3,794,290 Development Appeal Fund 2,629,344 104,113 62,500 (36,697) 125,477 2,884,737 Programme Fund 115,505 4,725 5,721 125,951 CH Kemball Fund 25,997 1,063 1,288 28,348 Grants Fund 596,105 24,384 (17,229) 29,524 632,784 Dr James Heggie Fund 223,947 9,161 (11,699) 11,091 232,500

7,487,006 143,446 62,500 (65,625) 173,101 (101,818) 7,698,610

The transfers represent the release from the Capital Asset Reserve of a total of £101,818 to match the depreciation of buildings and the amount of capital repayment of the loan to the Foundation.

21 Restricted Funds

At 1 April 2010 Investment Other income Expenditure Gains /(Losses) Transfers At 31 March 2011 income

££ ££ ££ £

Robert Cormack Bequest 109,039 4,460 (6,611) 5,400 112,288 Lessells Trust 449,231 18,376 6,249 (36,584) 22,249 459,521 Auber Bequest 432,733 17,701 (6,711) 21,432 465,155 Prizes Fund 69,914 2,860 (7,195) 3,463 69,042 Dryerre Fund 492,520 20,147 (27,972) 24,394 509,089 Fleck 99,239 4,059 (2,139) 4,915 106,074 Piazzi Smyth 14,071 576 (938) 697 14,406 Sillitto 34,046 170 34,216 Others 26,208 1,072 (406) 1,298 28,172 Edinburgh Drug Absorption Foundation 120,770 605 121,375 Restricted Income Fund 4,567,069 (4,567,069)

RSE 1,847,771 70,026 4,573,318 (4,655,625) 83,848 1,919,338 RSE Scotland Foundation 8,592,037 314,476 477,904 (566,308) 151,380 (116,470) 8,853,019 BP Research Fellowship Trust 2,881,257 122,113 (163,824) 112,924 2,952,470

Total 13,321,065 506,615 5,051,222 (5,385,757) 348,152 (116,470) 13,724,827

416 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

21 Restricted funds (continued) “Prizes Fund” comprises The Keith Fund, The Neill Fund, The Makdougall-Brisbane Fund, The Gunning-Victoria Fund, The James Scott Prize Fund, the Bruce-Preller Lecture Fund, The Dr DA Berry Fund, The Henry Duncan Prize Lecture Fund and The BP Prize Lecture in the Humanities Fund. “Others” comprise the Retailing Seminars Fund and The CASS Fund. The Restricted Income Fund represents restricted income received and expended in the year. Under the terms of the Lessells Trust the University of Glasgow is entitled to 10% of additional amounts received by the RSE from the Trust. The balance included in creditors at 31 March 2010 represents the total sum apportioned but not yet paid over to the University (note 17). The funds of the RSE Scotland Foundation are treated as restricted in respect of the consolidated accounts and comprise funds received from the CRF £7,958,588, the endowment for the upkeep of the James Clerk Maxwell statue £31,870 and the balance of the Foundation general fund of £601,579.

22 Analysis of assets between funds

General Designated Funds Restricted Funds 2011 2010 Group £ £ £ £ £

Fund balances at 31 March 2011 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets 25,064 2,090,388 1,656,619 3,772,071 3,880,489 Investments 493,074 3,807,975 12,786,843 17,087,892 16,083,212 Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 1,703,904 (1,703,904) – Current assets 1,124,283 92,879 1,217,162 770,792 RSE Scotland Foundation current account (923,238) 923,238 – Deposits 29,356 96,343 1,637,362 1,763,061 2,231,664 Cash 109,181 20,870 130,051 310,904 Current liabilities (99,483) (1,471,230) (1,570,713) (1,316,484) Provisions for liabilities and charges (217,850) (217,850) (389,992) Pension fund liability (415,000)

758,237 7,698,610 13,724,827 22,181,674 21,155,585

General Designated Funds Restricted Funds 2011 2010 RSE £ £ £ £ £

Fund balances at 31 March 2011 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets 25,064 2,090,388 2,115,452 2,171,157 Investments 493,074 3,807,975 1,763,744 6,064,793 5,242,639 Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 1,703,904 1,703,904 1,750,712 Current assets 1,124,283 1,124,283 604,866 RSE Scotland Foundation current account (923,238) (923,238) (660,244) Deposits 29,356 96,343 1,637,362 1,763,061 2,231,664 Cash 109,181 109,181 195,667 Current liabilities (99,483) (1,263,918) (1,363,401) (1,049,178) Provisions for liabilities and charges (217,850) (217,850) (389,992) Pension fund liability (415,000)

758,237 7,698,610 1,919,338 10,376,185 9,682,291

417 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the financial statements

23 Pension costs

(a) Universities Superannuation Scheme

The RSE participates in the Universities Superannuation Scheme, a defined benefit pension scheme which is externally funded and contracted out of the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme. The assets of the scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund. The fund is valued every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary using the projected unit method, the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustee on the advice of the actuaries. In the intervening years the actuaries review the progress of the scheme.

It is not possible to identify each Institution’s share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme and hence contributions to the scheme are accounted for as if it were a defined contributions scheme. The cost recognised within the result for the year is equal to the contributions payable to the scheme for the year.

The latest actuarial valuation of the scheme was at 31 March 2008. The most significant assumptions, those relating to the rate of return on investments and the increase in salary and pensions are as follows:

Past service Future service liabilities liabilities

Investment return 4.4% 6.1%

Salary increase 4.3% 4.3%

Pension increase 3.3% 3.3%

At the valuation date the market value of the scheme’s assets was £28,842.6 million and the value of past service liabilities was £40,619.2 million on the scheme’s historical funding basis. The value of the assets represented 71% of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. The contribution rate payable by the RSE in the year was 14.0% of pensionable salaries. The actuary has confirmed that it is appropriate to take the pension charge to be equal to the actual contribution paid during the year. The contribution rate payable increased to 16% of pensionable salaries with effect from 1 October 2009. The total pension cost payable to USS in the year was £17,274.

(b) Lothian Pension Fund

The RSE also participates in the Lothian Pension Fund, a defined benefit pension scheme established under Local Government Pension Fund Regulations. This scheme has determined that it is possible to ascertain the shares of assets and liabilities relating to individual admitted bodies. The assets of the scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund.

The fund is valued every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary using the projected unit method, the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustee on the advice of the actuaries. In the intervening years the actuaries review the progress of the scheme.

At the latest valuation date the market value of the scheme’s assets was £2,903 million and the value of past service liabilities was £3,427 million. The value of the assets represented 85% of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. The contribution rate payable by the RSE was: 21.3%. The actuary has confirmed that it is appropriate to take the pension charge to be equal to the actual contribution paid during the year.

418 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

23 Pension costs (continued) Pension fund asset / (liability) The RSE pension fund asset at 31 March and the movements of its component parts comprise:

2011 2010 £’000 £’000

Present value of funded liabilities (defined benefit obligation) (2,087) (2,299) Fair value of employer assets 2,174 1,884

Net asset at 31 March 87 (415)

In accordance with the accounting policy, this asset is not recognised in the balance sheet as it is not expected to be recoverable in the foreseeable future.

2011 2010 Movement in present value of defined benefit obligation £’000 £’000

At 1 April 2,299 1,128 Current service cost 147 61 Past service costs (222) 13 Interest cost 123 82 Contribution by members 46 41 Actuarial losses/(gains) (299) 981 Benefits paid (7) (7)

At 31 March 2,087 2,299

2011 2010 Movement in fair value of employer assets £’000 £’000

At 1 April 1,884 1,267 Expected return on assets 144 89 Contributions by members 46 41 Contributions by the employer 144 120 Actuarial gains/(losses) (37) 374 Benefits paid (7) (7)

At 31 March 2,174 1,884

2011 2010 The net expense recognised in the statement of financial activities after FRS17 adjustments was £’000 £’000

Current service cost 147 61 Interest cost 123 82 Expected return on employer assets (144) (89) Past service cost/(gain) (222) 13

(96) 67

The total amount recognised in the statement of financial activities in respect of actuarial gains and losses is a gain of £175,000 (2010: loss of £607,000). This gain has been restricted from £262,000 to reflect the expectations in respect of recovery of the net asset at 31 March 2011.

419 The Royal Society of Edinburgh notes to the financial statements 23 Pension costs (continued)

The fair value of the employer assets at 31 March and the return on them in the year was: Value Return Value Return 2011 2011 2010 2010 £’000 % £’000 % Equities 1,718 7.5 1,488 7.8 Bonds 174 4.9 151 5.0 Property 217 5.5 170 5.8 Cash 65 4.6 75 4.8

2,174 1,884

Actual return on plan assets 109 463

The expected rates of return on plan assets are determined by reference to relevant indices. The overall expected rate of return is calculated by weighting the individual rates in accordance with the anticipated balance in the Plan’s investment portfolio.

Principal actuarial assumptions (expressed as weighted averages) at the year end were as follows: 2011 2010 %% Inflation/pension increase rate 2.8 3.8 Salary increase rate 5.1 5.3 Expected return on assets 7.0 7.3 Discount rate 5.5 5.5 The salary increase assumption at 31 March 2011 is 1% per annum for the first two years thereafter. The assumptions relating to longevity underlying the pension liabilities at the balance sheet date as based on standard actuarial mortality tables and include an allowance for future improvements in longevity. The assumptions are equivalent to expecting a 65 year old to live for a number of years as follows: Males 2011 Females Males 2010 Females

Current pensioners 20.8 years 24.1 years 20.8 years 24.1 years Future pensioners 22.3 years 25.7 years 22.3 years 25.7 years

The history of the plan for the current and prior 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 periods is as follows: £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000

Present value of defined benefit obligation (2,087) (2,299) (1,128) (1,145) (1,298) (1,250) (561) Fair value of employer assets 2,174 1,884 1,267 1,437 1,347 1,130 485 Surplus/(deficit) 87 (415) 139 292 49 (120) (76) Experience gains and losses on assets and liabilities have been as follows: 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Experience gains/(losses) on liabilities 28 (1) (30) Experience gains/(losses)on assets (37) 374 (396) (140) 8 171 13

The projected amount to be charged in respect of the Lothian Pension Fund defined benefit scheme in the next financial year is £155,000.

(c) Pension charge The total pension charge for the year, before the exceptional FRS17 pension credit, was £161,519 (2010: £86,999 after FRS 17 pensions credit).

420 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

24 Transactions with Related parties (a) Council members No member of Council received any payments other than reimbursements of expenditure on travel and subsistence costs actually and necessarily incurred in carrying out their duties as Councillors and Officers. The aggregate of such reimbursements to those Council members who charged expenses amounted to £1,538 (2010: £2,924). b) Other related parties The RSE President, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, who is a trustee ex-officio of the Foundation, is also a trustee of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, which administers the CRF postgraduate studentships on behalf of the Foundation. The RSE Director of Finance is also a part-time employee of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. In 2010 11 the Foundation made payments in support of the studentship scheme amounting to £95.933 (2010 £87,944).

25 Connected charitable trusts (a) RSE Scotland Foundation The RSE Scotland Foundation is a charitable trust, recognised in Scotland as Scottish charity number SCO24636. It was created in March 1996 with the object of advancing the education of the public in Scotland in science and engineering and in so doing to conserve the scientific and cultural heritage of Scotland. The President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Curator and a Vice-President of the RSE are ex officiis Trustees of the Foundation, which draws on the resources of the RSE in carrying out its objects. The Foundation also has five nominated Trustees. The Foundation became publisher of the RSE’s journals under a Publications Rights License effective from 1 January 1997. On 1 July 1997 the RSE granted to the Foundation a 50-year lease over 26 George Street carrying an obligation to refurbish the building within a three-year period. The Council of the RSE agreed to make a loan of up to £2.3 million available to the Foundation in support of the refurbishment. The agreed terms of the loan are as described in note 16.

(b) BP Research Fellowships Trust The BP Research Fellowships Trust funds a scheme of post doctoral research fellowships administered by the RSE.

26 Supplementary information: grants, donations and receipts

(a) Scottish Government Grants Income

2011 2010 ££

Promotion of research 1,727,569 1,456,169 Arts and Humanities Award 487,071 122,193 Generating & Communicating knowledge 373,624 372,358 International activities 307,286 307,398

2,895,550 2,258,118

The funding for 2010 11 was a grant under S23 Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 in support of the four programmes of activity: Research Fellowships, Arts & Humanities Awards; International grants & relations and Generating & Communicating knowledge.

At 31 March 2011 the financial commitment in respect of Personal and Support Fellowships awarded subject to Scottish Government funding in the years, 2011 12, 2012 13, 2013 14 and 2014 15 amounted to £1,736,963, £1,699,830, £1,129,066 and £525,489 respectively. These amounts are treated as obligation of future years to be financed by specific funding expected to be made available from the Scottish Government.

421 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the financial statements

26 Supplementary information: grants, donations and receipts (continued)

(b) Recurring donations in support of activities

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland supports postdoctoral fellowships, postgraduate studentships and lectures and conferences to fund and disseminate research aimed at improving the quality of life for an ageing population.

Scottish Enterprise Lloyds TSB Foundation Gannochy Trust for Scotland £££

Income Promotion of research & innovation 573,831 105,000

Costs Promotion of research & innovation 506,559 143,609 86,946 RSE @ Dumfries & Galloway 10,000 Provision for future costs (172,142) RSE administration and staff costs recovery 67,272 18,533 18,054

573,831 105,000

(c) Other donations in support of activities

The RSE gratefully acknowledges all those who make donations in support of activities. The companies, trusts and other bodies which made donations of £1,000 or more in support of activities in the year ended 31 March 2011 were as follows:

Buccleuch Charitable Foundation City of Edinburgh Council Darwin Trust Edinburgh Beltane Forestry Commission Scotland French Embassy Gannochy Trust Inchcape Shipping Services Lloyds Banking Group Scotland Scottish Cancer Foundation Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish Water The Holywood Trust

422 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2011 notes to the financial statements

26 Supplementary information: grants, donations and receipts (continued)

(d) Friends of the Society

The Friends of the Society corporate partners of the RSE, during the year ended 31 March 2011 were as follows:

Aegon UK plc Arup Group BP plc Lloyds Banking Group plc Royal plc Scottish Enterprise Shell UK Wood Group plc

27 Analysis of net funds At 31 March 2011 Cash flows At 1 April 2010 £££

Cash at bank 130,051 (180,853) 310,904 Deposits – general 29,356 (606,824) 636,180 Deposits – designated funds 96,343 479 95,864 Deposits – restricted funds 1,637,362 137,742 1,499,620

1,893,112 (649,456) 2,542,568

423